Healy-Rae back home after bout of mystery illness

INDEPENDENT TD Michael Healy-Rae helped decorate the family Christmas tree yesterday just hours after he returned home from hospital in Dublin, where he was treated after taking ill in the Dáil.

The South Kerry TD said he was feeling much better 48 hours after being struck down by a mystery illness that saw him rushed from Leinster House by ambulance to St James’s Hospital on Friday.

Mr Healy-Rae yesterday said that doctors were baffled by the nature of his illness and he would have to attend his local GP for follow-up tests to determine the cause.

“They did every kind of test in the world but they couldn’t pin it down,” he said.

“The one thing they did rule out was a heart problem and that was a mighty relief because that’s what I thought it was initially.”

Mr Healy-Rae, who will celebrate his 45th birthday next month, had contributed to a heated debate on the Social Welfare Bill shortly before he felt ill in the Dáil chambers. He was treated in the Ceann Comhairle’s office by Health Minister James Reilly, who asked for an ambulance to be called.

Mr Healy-Rae said: “I wasn’t feeling great all that day and I couldn’t finish my dinner. As I left the canteen an usher must have noticed my colour changing because he asked me if I was alright. I told him I was actually feeling very bad so James Reilly was called.”

He said the last thing he could remember was Dr Reilly taking his pulse and he has no recollection of being rushed to the hospital.

“I had a very bad pain in my stomach and shoulder and I had awful trouble trying to catch my breath. I still feel as if somebody has stood on my chest and I’m still very sore but I’m happy that the problem isn’t heart-related,” Mr Healy-Rae said.

He said he has been treated incredibly well by the medical team at St James’s Hospital.

Mr Healy-Rae was released from hospital on Saturday and was relaxing at home with his wife, Eileen, and family yesterday.

“I helped put up the Christmas tree and I enjoyed the day,” he said, adding that he expects to be fighting fit to resume duties this week.

He said he had been inundated by well-wishers and had received hundreds of emails, texts and phone calls from people enquiring as to how he was.

“And I can’t forget the good Dr James Reilly. We may disagree on many things but I must thank him for being there when he was needed.”