Limerick couple 'forever grateful' to gardaí who saved their baby daughter's life

A FAMILY who live in Athea have praised gardaí for their rapid response time which saved their baby’s life. 

Donna and Joseph (Joe) O'Loughlin realised their baby Precious was unresponsive after choking on Saturday, August 17. 

“She was then lifeless and floppy in my arms, she was grey,” Ms O'Loughlin, a Garryowen native, said.

“Her tongue was hanging out of her mouth. We thought she was dead.”

When the hospital didn’t answer the phone, the couple panicked. Ms O'Loughlin had the thought to ring the guards, who thankfully, answered the call.

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“I thought they [gardaí] would tell me to ring an ambulance and hang up, but the minute I explained what was happening, they told me to drive to Listowel and they would get me to the hospital,” she said.

“They were waiting outside the station and before the car fully stopped they had the door open and me and Precious out. They got me there [University Hospital Kerry] in 10 minutes. 

“They stayed with me in the hospital until they knew Precious was being looked after in resus. I truly believe they saved my daughter's life.”

Ms and Mr O'Loughlin have two other children, Caleb and Jacob. Caleb is a Little Blue Hero and has complex medical issues, including a brain injury and spinal and muscle deformities.

Their daughter Precious, who is seven-weeks-old, is being referred to a neurologist but her brain scan was clear. 

Ms and Mr O'Loughlin will be “forever grateful” to garda Mark Cushen and garda Ryan Hill from the Listowel Garda Station in north Kerry for saving Precious’ life.

“They [Listowel gardaí] were amazing to me and I can't thank them enough,” Ms O'Loughlin said. 

“The Listowel guards are incredible and thanks to them acting so fast, I have my baby here with me.”