Patrick O'Donovan 'heartened' by support as he continues to receive treatment in hospital

The minister fell ill earlier this week

Patrick O’Donovan fell ill at an EU presidency event held at the University of Limerick on Tuesday. File picture

Media, sports and culture minister Patrick O’Donovan is "heartened" by the support of his colleagues as he remains hospitalised in Limerick.

Mr O'Donovan is still receiving treatment after falling ill earlier this week. 

A statement signed by the O'Donovan family has been shared on social media this evening.

"Patrick's interdisciplinary team at University Hospital Limerick are working to ensure his return to his department as soon as new treatment has bedded down," they wrote.

"He is heartened by the support for his long-term Cabinet career demonstrated by his colleagues," they added.

Mr O’Donovan fell ill at an EU presidency event held at the University of Limerick on Tuesday.

He was rushed by ambulance to the hospital after a suspected seizure.

The medical emergency happened a few hours after the Limerick minister hit back at anonymous briefings from Fine Gael Cabinet ministers in national newspapers, briefings which questioned whether his health could prevent him from remaining in Cabinet.

Mr O'Donovan described the comments as the "ultimate betrayal" and said there was "a very ignorant group of people in this country who think it's OK to have a go at people because of their disability".