Patrick O’Donovan stable in hospital as officials cover departmental duties

Irish media minister Patrick O’Donovan remained stable at University Hospital Limerick on 20 October and was expected to stay for a further period, a government spokesperson said. He is receiving ongoing treatment after becoming unwell at an EU meeting in Limerick last week. The Irish Sun reported that senior officials and a junior minister were covering parts of his departmental duties during his absence.

O’Donovan was taken by ambulance to the hospital on Tuesday 13 October after becoming unwell at an informal meeting of EU communications ministers at the University of Limerick, TheJournal.ie reported. A government spokesperson told the outlet on Tuesday evening that his condition remained stable and that he was likely to stay in hospital for ‘another period’. Government officials separately confirmed his stable condition to The Irish Sun, which reported that he would remain in hospital for a ‘further period’.

Who is handling Patrick O’Donovan’s duties?

Ministers were working on a day-to-day basis, and no date had been set for O’Donovan’s return to his duties, The Irish Sun reported. That leaves the reported cover arrangements relevant for as long as his absence continues, without establishing when he will leave hospital or resume work.

What his family has said about his return

In a statement the previous week, O’Donovan’s family said he would return to work ‘as soon as new treatment has bedded down’, TheJournal.ie reported. His interdisciplinary team at University Hospital Limerick was working with him toward that return, the family said. The Irish Sun also reported a statement released on his behalf saying doctors were working with him while the new treatment took effect. Neither statement set a return date.

O’Donovan had returned to work in September after an illness during the summer, according to TheJournal.ie. In July, he became unwell and was hospitalised in Belgium before being flown back to Ireland on a government private jet a few days later. His current hospital stay follows that earlier period of absence and return to work; the government’s latest update concerns his condition and expected continued stay in Limerick.