Gardai stopped Newbridge mum at checkpoint - but ended up giving her high-speed escort to hospital
A Newbridge mum has thanked two Naas Gardai after they gave her and her sick child a high-speed Garda escort to hospital in Portlaoise.
Orlane Powell was on her way from KDoc in Naas when she came across a checkpoint being operated outside Sheehy Motors on the Newbridge Road by Garda Ronan Mannion and Garda June Lyons.
Minutes earlier, Orlane had been referred to the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise by a KDoc doctor.
Garda Mannion shone his torch into the car and saw 15-month-old Joshua - who was in convulsions at that stage - in a baby seat in the front of the car.
Orlane told KildareNow today: "The Garda asked me: 'do you need an escort to hospital?' and I was in a state at that point, and I I burst into tears and said: 'yes'.
Drove behind Garda car
"The Garda offered to drive my car but I said I was OK and I drove at 140km per hour all the way to Portlaoise behind the Garda car.
"Gardai Mannion also carried the child's bags to the Paediatric Ward and got the doctor immediately.
Joshua
"I want people to see that the Gardai are there not just for criminal matters but they helped my son and me who was bawling crying when they stepped off duty and ran into their car and escorted me all the way to Portlaoise Hospital."
The incident happened on March 25 - and last weekend Orlane visited Naas Garda Station and presented the Gardai with chocolates and flowers.
Infection risks
Orlane also warned that parents must be very careful when their child is sick with a bacterial or viral infection as it can be extremely contagious.
She said: "Parents need to exercise caution when their child is unwell with a bacterial or viral infection and not send them to people's houses unwell as the affects can be life threatening for a baby ans to make other people aware so they can take precautions.
"The doctors have said this is a huge issue and causing a lot of young children to end up in hospital like my son because parents aren't exercising caution when their child is sick.
"It could save a few more children from being rushed to hospital."