Mary Coughlan assists stranger who suffers seizure

FORMER Tánaiste Mary Coughlan came to the aid of a man in Castlebar cafe who suffered a seizure last weekend.

The former Fianna Fail TD, who served as deputy leader between 2008 and 2011, was enjoying a coffee in a County Mayo cafe when the medical emergency arose.

A man in his 40s began having a seizure and Ms Coughlan quickly reacted and took charge of the situation as another customer administered first aid.
A member of staff had called the emergency services but was becoming frustrated with the operator’s questions so Ms Coughlan, who was Minister for Health in 2011, took the phone and detailed the situation. An ambulance arrived at the cafe shortly afterwards.

Ms Coughlan was visiting the area to support her home team St Naul’s in the Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta tournament, a Gaelic football competition taking place in Tourmakeady at the weekend. St Naul’s won the competition.

A witness who was in the coffee shop at the time of the incident said Ms Coughlan had won the admiration of customers for keeping cool.

“It was very scary when the poor man fell to the ground and started shaking. Tables and chairs went flying, and I think he bit his tongue because there was blood on the floor.
“Mary Coughlan was very calm. Somebody else went to the man and held him in the recovery position, but she took charge of the situation and was very commanding,” the eye-witness said.

Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere