Overview

• Dean Dunphy, 33, was diagnosed with aggressive glioblastoma in August 2023 after sudden muscle twitching and stroke-like symptoms and underwent two surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
• Facing a grim outlook, the couple obtained a court exemption to marry on May 18 and bypass Ireland’s standard three-month notification period.
• On their wedding night, Dean suffered a seizure, was moved to palliative care and died at 4:35 am on May 21 with his wife listening to his heartbeat until it stopped.
• In recent weeks, Michaela has posted viral TikTok videos detailing their family’s ordeal to raise awareness of brain cancer and gather community support.
• She is preparing to establish the Dean Dunphy Foundation to fund research into aggressive brain tumours and preserve her late husband’s legacy.