Minister Patrick O’Donovan taken to hospital after becoming unwell at EU event in Limerick

The Fine Gael TD was hosting an informal EU meeting at the University of Limerick when he required medical assessment and treatment

'Leave my health out of it’: Patrick O’Donovan accuses Fine Gael colleagues of ‘ultimate betrayal’ over reports questioning his health. Picture: PA

Media minister Patrick O’Donovan has been taken to hospital after becoming unwell at an EU presidency event.

The Fine Gael TD was hosting the event at the University of Limerick. It is understood that the meeting had concluded before he became unwell.

“The minister became unwell during the EU informal meeting at the University of Limerick and has been taken off site for assessment and treatment,” a spokeswoman said.

'Ultimate betrayal'

Earlier Mr O’Donovan has hit out at his own party colleagues over a “hurtful” attack on him, accusing Fine Gael ministers of the “ultimate betrayal”.

The minister, who has become embroiled in Budget disputes over his proposed culture credit card for young people and a

decision to cut €20m in anticipated funding for RTÉ, responded strongly to reports published over the weekend that questioned his ability to carry out his job.

“There still is a very ignorant group of people in this country who think it's OK to have a go at people because of their disability,” said Mr O’Donovan, who was diagnosed with epilepsy more than 10 years ago.

"I do think bringing a person's health into public discourse in the manner which it was, through an anonymous source, is something that I haven't seen before to be quite honest about it. It was quite hurtful and I have to say that."

He said he had spoken publicly about being diagnosed with epilepsy “for a very good reason”, adding that he “didn't want to have a situation where when I did stutter, that someone might accuse me of, for instance, being drunk”.

“So, when I read an anonymous source on the front page of a reputable Sunday newspaper last week calling into question my health, particularly given the fact that that source was attributed to my own party and particularly given the fact that we have done so much in the area of disability and inclusion,” Mr O’Donovan told reporters in Limerick.

He said he “did what I did” in going public with his health issues to show young people that “even if you have a disability or a neurological condition that you can work in Government and you can be part of Government, but it does require supports”.

“I thought not only was that commentary a slap in the face to me but it was also a also a slap in the face of the people who have to live with conditions far worse than mine and conditions far more difficult than mine.

“I have no difficulty what people think of me on a political basis – don’t get me wrong, I’ll hold my own with anybody, but leave my health out of it,” he added.

‘I have no notion of going anywhere’

Mr O’Donovan said he would “gladly hand back the seal of office” if he believed he could not carry out his job as a Government minister.

“Some days are bad for me and other days are excruciating in terms of what my life is like,” he said, but added: “I have no notion of going anywhere.” 

Mr O’Donovan was hospitalised over the summer after becoming unwell during an official trip to Brussels.

In 2023, the Dáil was suspended and an ambulance was called after Mr O’Donovan became unwell while answering questions in the Chamber.

The then OPW minister was responding to a question about healthcare in the Connemara Gaeltacht, raised by Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív, when he became ill and struggled to answer before sitting down again.

“My health is my health, and it's private and it's personal,” he said, adding that he had been elected by the people of Limerick, who had supported him through elections.