'Mammy the hero of the piece': MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin welcomes new daughter born prematurely

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said they had to 'come to terms with losing this baby' and had also been sent to the delivery ward four times in the last two and a half weeks. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins 

Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has welcomed his new baby daugher, who was born at 26 weeks. 

The 49-year-old took to Facebook to introduce his new daughter, Róisín O'Reardon, who "arrived safe and as well" as they could have hoped. 

"Mammy is doing great, and has been a warrior for the last two months since her waters broke," he said. 

Mr Ó Ríordáin said they had to "come to terms with losing this baby" and had also been sent to the delivery ward four times in the last two and a half weeks. 

"Can’t thank all friends and family enough for the unbelievable support they given us through a difficult time. 

"More than once, we were preparing ourselves to deliver very bad news to those around us," he said. 

The MEP thanked the staff of the Rotunda and the Coombe. 

"They walk the line between joy and tragedy every day with such compassion and professionalism; we owe them so much," Mr Ó Ríordáin said. 

He added they hoped little Róisín would now get to go home in March and said she is in "the best hands". 

"She’s blessed with her two big sisters and her mammy, who is the hero of this piece," he added.