MEDIA MINISTER PATRICK O’Donovan ‘is under close medical observation” in a hospital in Brussels after becoming unwell. 

The minister was attending meetings when he fell ill on Tuesday. 

His spokesperson said in a statement: 

“I can confirm that the Minister became unwell in Brussels on Tuesday night and was taken to hospital. He remains under close medical observation. I would ask you to respect his privacy and that of his family. There will be no further comment at this time.”

The minister has previously spoken out about being diagnosed with epilepsy in 2016. 

He previously spoke out about being “terrified” when he collapsed in an aggressive fit while speaking in the Dáil chamber in June 2023.

O’Donovan confirmed he has photo sensitivity that manifests itself into epilepsy. 

A spokesperson for Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said:

“The Tánaiste and leader of Fine Gael remains in close contact with the family of Minister O’Donovan. His thoughts and that of entire Fine Gael family are with Patrick and his family.”

First elected to the Dáil in 2011, O’Donovan has served as a junior minister in a number of departments, working in areas such as sport, tourism, finance, public expenditure and the Office of Public Works (OPW).