NINE-YEAR-OLD Dáithí Mac Gabhann has his wheelchair back after it was stolen along with the family car from their home in Belfast in the early hours of this morning.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the theft.

The family said they were “absolutely devastated” when the vehicle, which also contained Christmas presents, was taken.

The loss of Dáithí’s wheelchair, which was also in the car, had a “real impact on his day to day life”, his parents Mairtín and Seph said.

“Thank you to the PSNI, who knocked the door a wee while ago and returned these set of wheels for the big man,” his parents said.

“Our community have wrapped their arms around us. Thank you.”

A local PSNI spokesperson said that police received a report shortly after 9am that a vehicle had been stolen from the Whitecliff Crescent area.

Around midday, officers spotted a suspicious vehicle in the Falls Road area, which was identified as the stolen car.

During an attempt to stop the vehicle, two police cars and a member of the public’s car were damaged.

A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and a number of driving-related offences.

A 35-year-old woman and a 43-year-old woman were also arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

All three remain in police custody.

Earlier, Dáithí’s family thanked neighbours, the PSNI, and Councillor Michael Donnelly for their assistance.

Dáithí, who has spent three years waiting for a life-saving heart transplant, has become a prominent campaigner for organ donation in Northern Ireland.

Legislation introducing an opt-out organ donation system in the region is informally known as “Daithí’s Law,” named after him.

The law ensures adults are presumed to be organ donors unless they specifically opt out.