Fresh hope for victim’s sister after being taken off ventilator

THE hospitalised sister of the woman who died in the Kinsale hotel carbon monoxide poisoning tragedy has been taken off a ventilator.

Patricia Reidy was taken off a ventilator at Cork University Hospital, giving her family fresh hope she might make a full recovery. Her sister, Miriam Reidy, died in the weekend tragedy at the Trident Hotel.

A family friend last night confirmed Patricia has made “brilliant progress” and has been able to “speak a couple of words”.

The source said: “Patricia’s not out of the woods yet but the family are thrilled that she’s been taken off the ventilator. She’s absolutely wrecked. She’s only been able to say a couple of words and has communicated mostly through sign language.

“The family are all hoping against hope that she hasn’t suffered any permanent damage.”

It also emerged that gardaí were taking statements from a number of women in Limerick who were part of the hen party. Meanwhile, two other hospitalised women who were part of the hen party night are lucky to be alive.

Marie Shaughnessy and Patrice Reidy were staying in the hotel room next to the one in which Miriam Reidy — who was sharing with Patricia — died.

But Marie and Patrice, a first cousin of Miriam, didn’t return to the hotel until 6am on Sunday, meaning they escaped the worst.

However, both women are being treated for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Cork’s Mercy Hospital but it is expected they will make a full recovery. It means the only four women — who were part of the 30-strong hen party — that stayed in the Trident Hotel, were all affected.

Last night the families and friends of Marie and Patrice were coming to terms with how lucky the two are to be alive.

A family friend said: “Marie and Patrice stayed out till about 6am with the rest of the girls and although they didn’t know it at the time, that probably saved their lives.

“They still didn’t escape and are being treated for carbon monoxide in their blood stream, but it could have been so much worse.

“Miriam and Patricia, on the other hand, went to bed at 1am that night and, as we know, Miriam lost her life and Patricia’s in a bad way in hospital. It looks like it was those extra hours exposed to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning which were critical.”