IT's been a week to remember for Waterford man Maurice Barron, his wife Kandice and their young daughter Ava....

Not only did they attend the US President's State of the Union address this week, but young Ava and her parents were singled out for special mention by the US President Joe Biden in his address.

The family, who live in New York, have endured a tough couple of years due to young Ava's battle with cancer - a story which has touched the heart of President Joe Biden.

He first met Maurice Barron at the White House early last year when Maurice - son of Waterford councillor Ger Barron - was invited to the launch of the Cancer Moonshine Programme there.

Maurice had written a personal letter to Joe Biden whose own son, Beau, died from cancer in 2015 at the age of 46.

A special relationship developed between the two which led to the recent invite for the family to attend the State of the Union address...an experience Maurice, Kandice and little Ava will never forget.

This morning (Friday), live from New York, Maurice spoke to Damien on Deise Today.

You can listen back to that interview - and the clip of Joe Biden talking to the family at the address - by clicking on the image above!