Fine Gael leader gives update on health of Limerick’s Patrick O’Donovan

FINE Gael leader Simon Harris has said his party colleague Patrick O’Donovan is “doing well”, and “we are all looking forward to him returning to work as soon as possible.”

And he added there is “no place” in Ireland for “anonymous trolls”.

It comes after his party colleague, Limerick Minister Patrick O’Donovan was targetted by remarks on social media in the wake of his hospitalisation, which members of the council have described as “vile”.

They have agreed to send a letter of support to the Fine Gael TD, who has been hospitalised twice after suffering a suspected seizure related to his epilepsy last month.

Describing him as “a father, a decent man, a good person and a decent colleague,” the Tanaiste and Finance Minister said he remains in regular contact with Mr O’Donovan.

“He is a very good friend of mine. I’ve had the opportunity to appoint a Cabinet on two occasions. On both occasions, I have appointed Patrick. We entered the Dail on the same day. I visited him in recent weeks. I am in touch with him and his family. He is doing well. I'm not going to provide a running commentary on his health out of respect to him. He is doing well, and we are all looking forward to him returning to work as soon as possible,” he said.

Speaking at the Limerick Chamber Regional Business awards, where he was the keynote speaker, Mr Harris also responded to commentary online on Mr O’Donovan’s health.

He said: I think in general, the coarsening of public dialogue, and anonymous trolls. It has no place. As I said in my speech tonight, Ireland, Limerick, the Mid-West, everywhere has challenges. Every part of the world does. But this is a good country full of decent people. I think it's a good country when people can disagree without being downright rude.”

“Patrick has served the people of Limerick with distinction. He doesn't need me to say that. His electoral record shows that, if you look at the vote he got in Limerick in the last election. I have no doubt he will continue to serve Limerick with dictinction,” Mr Harris added.

Mayor John Moran, who overcame bowel cancer before his election as first citizen, also criticised the online comments.

He said: “There is no place for that kind of behaviour. People who do that need to understand it's inappropriate, it's hurtful. Especially when you're in his situation. He is in hospital, it's his family who are seeing that abuse. That's even more hurtful. It's important for us all to remember every one of those comments is seen by friends, seen by family, and it's hurtful to them as well.”

Also speaking at the Chamber awards on Friday night, the mayor wished the TD all the best.

“I've had my own run-in with illness as you know. It's a tough time for anybody, it's a tough time for his family, I'm sure they are concerned. So look, I hope Patrick comes out of it . I took a step back for the year I was sick, and I think that's where it can be sometimes tough when you're so involved. The sense I get is the Government is hugely supportive which is absolutely the right thing, to give him the time he needs to get on the full recovery. Hopefully it happens quickly. It's a tough time for him as he is deeply involved in the EU presidency. To have to step away from that is tough.”

“But health is the only thing we have. We can't buy it, we have to look after it, and it's important he gets the time,” the mayor concluded.