Patrick O’Donovan back home in Limerick after falling ill in Belgium
Government minister was flown back to Ireland on Friday night following a medical episode in Brussels
LOCAL TD and Government minister Patrick O’Donovan is back home in Limerick and “recovering with his family”.
Mr O’Donovan became unwell in Belgium on Tuesday night and was taken to hospital. “He remains under close medical observation,” said his spokesperson in a statement on Thursday.
Mr O’Donovan, aged 49, was in Brussels to attend meetings and events.
This Sunday, the spokesperson said: “Patrick is home since Friday night, safe and well and recovering with his family.”
A Fine Gael spokesperson said the Tanaiste and Leader of Fine Gael, Simon Harris, remains in close contact with the family of Mr O'Donovan.
“His thoughts and that of the entire Fine Gael family are with Patrick and his family,” said the party spokesperson.
The minister for arts, culture, communications, media and sport has previously spoken to media about his diagnosis for epilepsy. Mr O’Donovan collapsed in the Dáil chamber on June 29, 2023, while answering questions. Following the incident, he was admitted to Beaumont Hospital where he was diagnosed with deep frontal lobe epilepsy.
It is understood he underwent a procedure on his leg in recent weeks and has been on crutches for a period of time. Mr O’Donovan attended the All-Ireland semi-final last Sunday to witness Limerick defeating Clare.
The Newcastle West man has been in politics for over 20 years. He was first elected to Limerick County Council in June 2004 and was re-elected in 2009.
The father-of-three was first elected to the Dáil in February 2011. Mr O’Donovan has served in a number of prominent roles - Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works and the Gaeltacht; Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for Public Procurement, Open Government and eGovernment, and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport.
He was appointed Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport in January last year.