THE rumours of one County Limerick politician’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Rural Ireland Independent TD Richard O’Donoghue this week dismissed inaccurate rumours about his current health status after being hospitalised in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) for eight days after having a mini-stroke.
In a social media post, Independent Deputy O’Donoghue, said: “I am fine. Apparently, the rumours going about said I’m not, but I’m absolutely 100 per cent fine and I will be on the road again meeting people, but will be stepping back from some of the extra stuff that I was doing just for a few weeks to allow myself make the 100 per cent recovery.”
He continued: “Just to clear up again, and for those that were worried about me, to assure everyone that I’m fine. I was hospitalised for eight days. We found out what the problem was. I have to take it easy for a couple of weeks, but I will make a 100 per cent recovery.”
The first-term local TD also thanked and praised the staff at University Hospital Limerick for the care he received, confirming that he had spent initially 13 hours on a chair and then a trolley before eventually securing a bed.
“The place was swamped with trolleys, but the staff, I couldn’t fault them one bit for the conditions which they work in.”
Deputy O’Donoghue confirmed that his constituency office is open as usual and that he is still contactable.
“I will just be stepping back a little over the next short while but promise that I will be back as good as new within a couple of weeks. I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes, and thanks also for showing concern about me.”
A longstanding self-employed building contractor, O’Donoghue won a seat on Limerick City and County Council at both the 2014 and 2019 Local Elections. He resigned from the local authority after winning a Dáil seat at the 2020 General Election.
The 53-year-old is a member of the Mattie McGrath led Rural Independent Group, and has been known to be vocal on many issues in the Dáil, but is particularly vocal on rural issues, fuel tax, and farming.
A father of four and grandfather, he lives with his wife Kay and family in Granagh.
