The Fine Gael TD was rushed to hospital for the second time this month.
MINISTER Patrick O’Donovan has been admitted to hospital once again.
It is understood that the Communications Minister and Limerick TD was taken to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) last night (Thursday, November 5) after falling ill at his home.
This is the second time in less than a month that Minister O’Donovan has been hospitalised.
According to sources from Limerick Live, he is being treated in intensive care.
Minister O’Donovan was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) on Tuesday, October 13, after falling ill with a seizure while attending a meeting of the European Union telecommunications ministers at the University of Limerick. He was then discharged from UHL a week ago to recover at home.
It was decided this week that Fine Gael TD Peter Burke is set to take over Minister O’Donovan’s functions during his period of recovery. Taoiseach Micheál Martin agreed to the temporary reassignment of ministerial duties on the request of Tánaiste Simon Harris.
Following the announcement, Minister O’Donovan was decided to remain a Cabinet Minister without portfolio.
Only recently was Minister O’Donovan the subject of a Municipal District of Newcastle West meeting, where councillors condemned the online comments targeting the Minister. Cllr Michael Collins said, “Politics can be difficult at any stage, but when someone is sick, and they are not in the best of health, I think it is very unfair of keyboard warriors to have a go at somebody.”
He was described as a “massive, massive addition to County Limerick” at this November meeting, and a letter was proposed to be sent in his support.
The minister had been hospitalised during his trip to Brussels during the summer and has previously spoken about his experience of living with epilepsy.
Minister O’Donovan’s condition is unclear at this moment in time.