Organ donation is a "shining light" in an Ireland that is becoming "increasingly materialistic and spiritually bankrupt", transplant surgeon David Hickey has said.

He made the comment at the opening of a national organ donor commemorative garden in Salthill, Co Galway.

Donation is a "miracle of generosity and humanity at a time of incredible stress and sadness", said Mr Hickey, who is director of transplantation at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. He was speaking to families of donors and organ recipients who were at yesterday's event.

The Circle of Life commemorative garden is spearheaded by Martina and Denis Goggin of Spiddal, Co Galway, who lost their only son Éamonn in a car crash five years ago.

The voluntary project is sponsored by Galway-Chicago Sisters International and by a number of groups and individuals.