Limerick priest praises doctors, judge and parishioners after medical emergency at Mass

THE QUICK-THINKING of two doctors, judge and parishioners ensured an elderly lady who fell ill at Mass got the best care possible.

Limerick Live was contacted by a parishioner who attended 10am Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Parish on Sunday morning.

“The poor woman got a weakness just before Holy Communion. Judge Tom O’Donnell came up the church and asked for an announcement to be made immediately from the pulpit to see if there were any doctors in the church. He then went back to help other parishioners who were tending to the poor woman,” said the parishioner.

There were two doctors at Mass who went to her assistance. An ambulance was called and the woman was taken to University Hospital Limerick. The parishioner didn't know the names of the two doctors but recognised the retired judge.

“It was a frightening thing to happen. In fairness to Judge O’Donnell he moved fast to raise the alarm and luckily there were not one but two doctors in the church. Please God she will be fine. She got the best care possible in the circumstances,” said the parishioner.

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Fr Tom Ryan, who was celebrating the Mass, praised one and all for their fast response and caring for the elderly lady.

“The doctors, Judge O’Donnell and the people around the lady who went to her aid have to be praised. I was highly impressed by the quick-thinking of one woman to help identify her. She brought up the poor lady’s collection envelope. I was able to cross reference the number on it and get her name and address from that.

"She took the initiative and solved the problem of identifying her. Her husband was contacted and he came to the church. She was with her from the very beginning and stayed until the ambulance arrived,” said Fr Ryan.

On behalf of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Fr Ryan wishes the elderly woman well and hopes she makes a full recovery.