'A pure fighter': Limerick men’s shed celebrate stroke survivor

TEN years ago Billy O’Donoghue was splitting timber on his farm in Cherrygrove, Banogue when he felt unwell and collapsed beside a wheel of his tractor.

The 58-year-old had suffered a major stroke. Getting medical treatment as quickly as possible after a stroke is critical but Billy wasn’t found for some five hours when wife Margaret came home from work. He also had hypothermia after being exposed to the elements.

The prognosis for Billy was not good. Margaret and their children Mairead and Patrick were told “prepare yourself for the worst”.

One of his brothers, Cllr John O’Donoghue said Billy was lucky that he is “a pure fighter and the people around him were fighting for him”. 

“Two days after the stroke he was trying to get out of the hospital bed, even though unfortunately he couldn’t,” said Cllr O’Donoghue. After a month in the then Limerick Regional Hospital, Billy was transferred to St Camillus' before returning home.

“It was a long road to recovery,” said Cllr O’Donoghue, but Billy’s willpower was matched by the support of his family, friends and neighbours.

Around a year after the stroke, Margaret dropped Billy down to Croom Men’s Shed and it has become a huge part of his life. Billy’s stroke occurred 10 years ago on Thursday, February 20. His friends in the shed decided to hold an event in honour of Billy and his  recovery.

“Billy feeds the cattle here every day, he's able to drive the tractor, he's able to open the bale, drop it out to the cattle, throw them a few nuts, he walks the dog every day, he checks the cattle, he drives. His speech is good,” said Cllr O’Donoghue.

He said the event was to show that between Headway, Croom Men’s Shed, Billy's family, and his own fighting spirit, “all these things culminated in us being able to have a ten year celebration after the episode”.

READ MORE: PICTURES: Croom Men's Shed breakfast in honour of stroke survivor Billy

The Croom Men's Shed has become a big part of Billy's life and Cllr O'Donoghue would like to see more men avail of their services across the county and city.

“Unfortunately, and especially with farming, it can become very lonely for some. They meet every Tuesday and Thursday in Croom.  They have a cup of tea and a chat. You need that bit of camaraderie. They really missed it during Covid, ” said Cllr O'Donoghue.

Croom Men's Shed, which is located in the Scout Den thanks to their kindness, also roll up their sleeves with regard to community endeavours like cutting lawns, making kindling from pallets and help deliver the meals on wheels run by the Croom Family Resource Centre. They also sing in a choir and go on trips at home and abroad.

Cllr O'Donoghue stresses there are also Women's Shed and while the event last week was for his brother, it was also a celebration of Croom Men’s Shed, his family and community spirit.