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MINISTER Patrick O’Donovan has said he thought he might by dying during an epileptic episode in Leinster House two years ago.

He said he was “terrified” when he collapsed in an aggressive fit while speaking in the Dail chamber in June 2023.

He said on Sunday that, at the time, he did not know whether he was going to live or die.

Mr O’Donovan, who recently revealed to the Sunday Independent that he has a photo sensitivity that manifests itself into epilepsy, elaborated on the experience on the Anton Savage Show on Newstalk.

The Arts Minister said he was revealing his disability following criticism around his level of participation at cultural events.

While speaking in the Dail chamber, he said he started to feel the sensations in his body “beginning to go” and he started stuttering “really badly”.

While he has had a stutter on occasion since childhood, he added: “But this was a really bad one.

“And the next thing, before I knew where I was, all of the power in my limbs was beginning to leave me.”

The situation deteriorated by the second and he ended up lying down on one of the Government benches.

“I could hear everything but I couldn’t see anything and I couldn’t speak and I had no sensation anywhere.”

Asked if he thought there was a chance he was dying, he said: “Yeah, I did. I thought this one was so big and was lasting so long, it was so violent and aggressive, that they couldn’t get it under control.”

Mr O’Donovan added: “I’ve often jokingly said at home that I thought I was going to be a table quiz question: ‘Who was the first TD to die in the Dail chamber?'”

Mr O’Donovan said he had lived with the condition for years without it being diagnosed, suffering a number of episodes.

He said it felt like the “bottom had fallen out” of his world when he was eventually diagnosed, but the confirmation also came with a sense of relief: “I always knew there was something physically wrong with me, as did my wife, because I could feel it.”

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HIT-and-run victim Michael Farrelly’s brother has told how he wants the killer driver to be prosecuted, insisting: “My brother is dead and someone should be held accountable.”

And as Gardai prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions over the tragic death of his older sibling, Conor Farrelly, 33, last night declared he “deserves justice”.

Gary Ashe

Mikey Farrelly’s brother Conor told how he wants the killer driver to be prosecuted[/caption]

Gary Ashe

Conor Farrelly spoke to the Irish Sun’s Stephen Breen about the loss of his ‘wonderful’ brother[/caption]

Collins Photos

The shocking incident, which has left Mikey’s family reeling, occurred on July 17, 2024 just after midnight[/caption]

Musician Michael, 40, known as Mikey, was killed when he was struck by a stolen vehicle travelling at 130kph on Coast Road, Baldoyle, just after midnight on July 17, 2024.

He was just 50 yards from the entrance to his estate when he was struck by the Hyundai Kona.

The teenage driver of the vehicle — suspected of being a member of the ‘Lucky Dip’ burglary gang — failed to stay at the scene.

The suspect — who was arrested last September and later released without charge — was on bail at the time of the hit-and-run.

Since then, the yob has been linked to numerous car thefts and burglaries across Ireland.

Videos of the suspect and his associates have also been circulated on social media, showing them speeding in residential areas.

And he was this weekend posting videos online in stolen cars.

As the Garda probe continues, Michael’s brother spoke exclusively to The Irish Sun on Sunday about his family’s ongoing torment.

Conor, from north Dublin, told us: “Mikey was a wonderful brother and he deserves justice — I don’t want him just to be a statistic.

“The person who took his life ran from the scene, showed no remorse and yet continues to steal cars — he could have helped my brother.”

He continued: “Grief is very much on hold for us — it’s impossible to process what’s happening when there is a live investigation and we’re seeing videos of these guys out doing it again.

“I don’t understand how someone can hit a human being at that speed, kill them and not stop.

“They know what they’ve done and yet they keep doing it.

“There was no decency shown to my brother — if I hit a dog I would check to see if it was OK.

“He wasn’t killed in an accident — it was a criminal act that was entirely avoidable and preventable.”

‘SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE’

Speaking about his family’s quest for justice, Conor said: “I would like to see this person charged with what he has done. At the end of day, my brother is dead and someone should be held accountable.

“I want action taken on this because we won’t be the last family to suffer. I have to be his voice now because he spent his whole life looking after me.

“I truly hope the sentence acts as a deterrent to others and also reflects the gravity of the crime.

“A completely innocent man has been robbed of a bright future.”

He added: “The devastation left behind can’t be put into words.

Whatever sentence he gets it’s incalculable to the sentence we have for the rest of our lives.

“Our family and Mikey’s friends have been left shattered — no one should have to lose their life in such a reckless and violent way.”

The hit-and-run victim’s brother also hit out at Ireland’s bail laws.

‘TERRIBLE TRAGEDY’

He said: “Had circumstances and laws been different this terrible tragedy wouldn’t have happened.

“Mikey’s death was completely avoidable because these guys shouldn’t have been out.

“We’re not the only family going through this — families have been torn apart because bail laws aren’t fit for purpose. They were out on bail for multiple thefts and their actions have real consequences.

“People are losing their lives and families are shattered in this continuous cycle. I can’t imagine the pain that our dad Philip is going through after losing his son.

“These criminals who are out on bail all the time are operating without any deterrent or consequences. Enough is enough.”

Conor continued: “How many families have to be broken apart? How many people have to die before something is done?

“We can’t tolerate this — anyone who does an offence like this should be placed in custody.

‘VIOLENT OFFENCE’

“If you hit someone at 130kph in a stolen car this is a violent offence, yet he does it repeatedly.

“What do you have to do to be classed as a violent offender?”

Conor also revealed how his brother had just completed his first album in the weeks before he was tragically killed.

He said: “Mikey’s whole life revolved around music. His life ambition was to write an album of his own music and a couple of weeks before he died he achieved his dream.

“He went into a recording studio in Drogheda and had his own music recorded. It was amazing when we look back. After years of talking about it he did it.

“We were at a family dinner last summer and he’d never played in front of us.

“He took out the guitar and sang three of the songs he’d composed.
“We were blown away and so proud — we were lucky to have experienced that. It is something we will never forget.”

Conor also told of his pain over Michael’s absence at his upcoming wedding later this year.

He revealed: “His music was beautiful. We will now use it as a celebration of his life and some of it will feature at my wedding.

It is a day I will never forget and no family should have to endure this type of experience”

“He was delighted to be my best man and was he really looking ­forward to it. He really wanted to be the best he could be and now unfortunately we will both miss out — this is very sad.”

Conor added: “The only reason he won’t be there is because of the actions of someone else and this makes it incredibly hard.”

As part of his interview with us, Conor also revealed how he had been made aware of the tragedy.

He explained: “I had a strange feeling when I saw there had been an incident in Baldoyle.

“I was working at home when the Gardai showed up and told us Mikey had passed away.

“It is a day I will never forget and no family should have to endure this type of experience.”

Supplied

Over 13,000 individuals have been affected by the combined effects of Typhoon “Bising” (international name: “Danas”) and the southwest monsoon (habagat), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Sunday. In its latest situational report, the NDRRMC said 3,773 families—or a total of 13,006 individuals—were affected across 14 barangays nationwide. Of this

The National Food Authority (NFA) and local governments should buy “palay,” or unmilled rice, and other produce directly from Filipino farmers so they can get fair prices, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Sunday as President Marcos assured farmers that the government’s minimum buying price for palay continue to range from P18 to P23 per

LOVE Island’s Harry Cooksley made a huge cheating confession about his Casa Amor ex Emma.

It comes as the former couple is now being reunited again in the ITV2 villa.

ITV

Harry and Helena recently recoupled[/caption]

ITV

The Islanders enjoyed a couples’ brunch[/caption]

ITV

Harry made a shock cheating confession about his ex[/caption]

Viewers watched as the Islanders enjoyed a couples’ brunch – following the latest recoupling.

It saw Harry, 30, open up to his on and off love interest Helena, 29, about his past relationship.

As they chatted, the villa boy asked his partner whether she’d ever been in love.

After Helena said “I don’t think so”, Harry said he’d been in love with his ex.

Helena questioned whether that was the one “he cheated on in the first week”.

Harry answered: “Yeah, a week in.

“Then we were together for almost three years after that.”

Emma is making her villa entrance as part of the fan favourite Casa Amor twist.

The Sun exclusively revealed the full female Casa contingent for this year’s series.

Joining Emma are Lauren Wood, Lucy Quinn, Yasmin Broom, Andrada Pop and Rheo Parnell.

And it’s clear that with Casa Amor comes fireworks and new dynamics brought into play.

The lads set to enter the matchmaking show have also come to light – and they all have their sights set on feisty northern lass Shakira.

It comes as The Sun previously revealed the identity of Harry’s ex ahead of her arrival.

Viewers had noticed Harry’s wrist tattoo of the letter “E” and began digging for clues online.

Emma previously shared a sunset selfie to Instagram, where she was seen cosying up to Harry in matching baseball caps, hers bearing an “E” and, his, an “H”.

The image, which has since been deleted, was dated 18 April 2022.

Emma also bears a striking resemblance to one of Harry’s co-stars, sparking comparisons from fans who claim she looks “more like Shakira than Helena”.

Love Island airs on ITV2 and ITVX.

An official of the Department of Health (DOH) said on Sunday it was better to funnel government assistance through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) instead of guarantee letters. DOH spokesperson Dr. Albert Domingo, in a Viber message to the Inquirer, was reacting to reports that some private hospitals had stopped accepting guarantee letters due

RICKY HATTON was unable to attend his own comeback announcement after being injured by his SUNGLASSES watching Oasis.

British boxing great Hatton will make an Oasis-like comeback in December to fight Eisa Aldah in Dubai.

@campbellhatton

Ricky Hatton with his son Campbell and friends at the Oasis gig[/caption]

The 46-year-old Manchester legend – who was in Cardiff on Friday night to see his old pals reunite – had his last professional bout in 2012.

But the City super-fan – who was walked to the ring by Noel and Liam for his 2008 win over Paulie Malignaggi – will slide between the ropes once again – 13 years later – to grab a punching pension pot in the desert.

The Gallagher brothers made their triumphant return this weekend after 16 years away and almost as many fights between them as on Hatton’s 45-3 record.

The Hitman’s opponent, 46-year-old Aldah, was the Gulf’s first ever professional fighter.

But, between 2008-2009, he won three fights in Welsh boxing backwaters of Newport and Merthyr Tydfil.

Hatton was due to fly out to Dubai this week to star in Sunday night’s big-money launch press conference.

But he suffered an eye injury on his designer sunglasses at the Oasis reunion gig and was not cleared to travel until the injury heals.

The adored two-weight world champion struggled with depression and addiction following crushing defeats – at the backend of a legendary career – against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

But he – like Frank Bruno – has become a national treasure in retirement and a respected advocate on men’s mental health.

The brilliant body puncher hit the headlines last month when he appeared with a shock skinhead.

But the working-class hero revealed he had braved the shave to support the Brain House Children’s Hospice.

The Guinness-loving lad explained: “Head shaved for @brianhousech.

“Won’t be keeping the skinhead but it raised a right few quid for charity. So I’m more than happy to stomach it.”

Reuters

Hatton did have an exhibition with Marco Antonio Barrera in 2022[/caption]

WHEN red-haired student Jess met trainee bricklayer Bradley in a nightclub, the spark between them was unmistakeable.

But while 20-year-old Jess was quickly smitten with her handsome boyfriend, not everyone was quite so pleased.

Lorna Roach

Pharmacist Jess Simpson married a tradesman and says her husband Paul beats any posh boy she’s dated, especially in the bedroom[/caption]

Aaron Collett Photography

Laura Dolphin, a CEO for a global company, married mechanic Rob[/caption]

“Bradley bought me a drink, chatted me up and made me laugh,” recalls Jess, then a chemistry undergraduate at the University of Manchester.

“When he asked for my number my university mates were horrified.”

It was a similar story with her upper middle class parents.

Did poor Brad have bad breath or a drug habit which put off her friends?

No. His crime was not having a degree — with Jess’s friends and family claiming she was ‘dating down’.

And she’s not the only one.

With far more girls now going to university than boys in Britain, increasing number of couples are made up of a white collar wife and blue collar bloke — with some claiming this pairing is the secret to both a healthy bank balance and a sizzling sex life.

‘Breath of fresh air’

Jess, 30, says: “Mum and dad made it clear even socialising with a tradie was out of the question — a girl like me was better and smarter than that.

“They wanted the best for me, but I found it boring.

“They wanted me to marry up.

“Their friends were constantly bragging about the wealthy or well-to-do husbands their daughters were marrying.”

But when Bradley asked Jess out, she instinctively wanted to say yes.

She said: “My inner rebel geek took hold.

“Brad was honest from the start, admitting he’d grown up on a local estate, had been a bit of a ladies’ man and wasn’t parent-pleasing material.

“He made me laugh, he had great banter and he could fix things.”

And Bradley, 41, excelled in another area.

Jess says: “He’s also an amazing kisser, great in bed and a lover who was definitely good with his hands.”

While once it was the done thing for women to “marry up” for financial reasons, the tables have turned.

Last year, over half of British women reported feeling financially independent.

Now females have more freedom when choosing their spouse — and are plumping for males who are more physical and practical than brainy breadwinners.

Women are more likely to go to university than men.

In 2018, 53.6 per cent of girls went on to higher education, compared to 40.2 per cent of boys.

Like most women I’ve always had a ‘perfect-man checklist. When I met Rob he didn’t tick any of those boxes but I soon discovered that my list was snobby and shallow

Laura

It seems to be a global trend, with stats showing females being more educated than males in the US, France and Belgium too.

This means the dating pool of men at university has dwindled while women can rely on themselves financially.

Plus a survey by Materials Market found 74 per cent of women partnered with a blue collar worker said they were good in bed or better than more learned blokes.

After seven years together, Jess and Bradley, who live in Chichester, West Sussex, married in 2022 and welcomed their son a year later.

Jess says: “People who think marrying down is wrong are just snobs.

“Brad’s amazing in bed, better than university lads.

“Our marriage will last, while girls I know who married up are already divorced.”

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HR boss Paige Bournett clicked with forkift driver Adam Taylor[/caption]

R Diaz photography

Jess and Paul on their wedding day[/caption]

Bradley thinks the marriage works because the couple bring their “brains and brawn together”.

Jess agrees.

She adds: “I may be the brains but he works hard for his money.

“He’s not obsessed with keeping up with the Joneses and I find that to be a breath of fresh air.

“When we met, he was living paycheck to paycheck but he still continued to treat me like a princess.

“He wasn’t bothered that I was smarter than him.

“When I started work as a specialist pharmacist he was thrilled and didn’t care that I earned double his wage.

“I fell out with some of my posh pals who accused me of dating down and slumming it.

Brad’s building a business. He admits he doesn’t understand chemistry, I don’t understand the difference between a spanner and a screwdriver

Jess

“Brad’s building a business.

“He admits he doesn’t understand chemistry, I don’t understand the difference between a spanner and a screwdriver.

“Tradies are never out of work, they are in demand, and they have great chat.

“I’d rather be with a tradie than a doctor or surgeon.”

As for her parents, Jess says: “When they met Bradley they didn’t like him.

“But after a year he’d won them over with his charm, kindness and commitment to our family.”

Privately educated Laura Dolphin, 38, had a similar experience when she found love with husband Rob, 40, who left school at the age of 16 to become a mechanic.

“I went to a posh private school and some of my friends were determined to marry up and nab the richest and poshest husbands,” says Laura, who lives in Northampton with Rob and their seven-year-old daughter.

“I have dated lawyers and uber-wealthy businessmen with expensive motors and pedigree backgrounds.”

Before meeting Rob in 2013, Laura, who is a CEO for a global company, was in a relationship with someone she describes as a “super academic” from a wealthy family.

She says: “It ended when I realised he’d never consider me his equal or be interested in my goals.

“I’d realised marrying up meant living your husband’s life.”

Rob was a corporal in the British Army when he and Laura met.

“Like most women I’ve always had a ‘perfect-man checklist’,” she says.

“When I met Rob he didn’t tick any of those boxes but I soon discovered that my list was snobby and shallow.

“When he wasn’t fixing vehicles in the Army, he taught skiing.

“I was a learner in one of his classes when we met, and for a week, he saw me falling over, sliding on my butt, and making a fool of myself.

“He wasn’t someone I’d ever considered dating material but on the last night we shared a drink, had a laugh and he asked for my number.

“Within days, he called.

“We had the same dark sense of humour.

“I’d been an Army reservist, and we could talk about anything.

‘They were snobs’

“He didn’t care if I’d been to a private school or was a CEO earning more than him.

“He was my opposite and yet we fit.

“When I told a close friend about him she was stunned, telling me he was ‘below my rank’ and she didn’t like him.

“Her response was shocking — we haven’t spoken since.”

When Bradley asked for my number my university mates were horrified

Jess

While they may be opposites, Laura says they were the perfect match, marrying in 2016.

“I do the finances, all the household planning and organisation, the timetables and schedules and Rob does the heavy lifting,” she says.

“Instead of the mansion and posh cars I dreamt of, we live in a three-bed terrace with a veggie patch and chickens.

“Rob thinks lots of my mates look down on him, but they’re jealous.

“So many of my friends are divorced and those who are still single can’t find a man.

“My advice is to chuck out the checklist and marry down — it’s a recipe for a happy life.”

Rob agrees.

He says: “She’s the boss and brains, but being the brawn means I have my uses, too.

“The moment I met Laura, I felt a connection.

“We know our marriage will last.”

Dating coach and relationship expert James Preece, owner of HeraHaven, has seen a rise in women looking for “high emotional intelligence” rather than someone who can provide for them.

He says: “They understand that relationship success comes from having similar values and life goals, and are comfortable with being the main earner.”

Pensions and human resources executive Paige Bournett lives in Worcester with her fiance, forklift driver Adam Taylor, 38.

They have been together seven years and are getting married in 2026.

I was raised to be prim and proper. I was told to stay at school, go to university and marry a lawyer, doctor or businessman

Paige

Paige, 31, tried “dating up” but found the men boring, bad in bed and only interested in their needs.

She says: “I was raised to be prim and proper.

“I was told to stay at school, go to university and marry a lawyer, doctor or businessman.

“But every super geek or university lad who asked me out didn’t care about my needs.

“When I met Adam at a nightclub in 2018, he was cocky, sure of himself and full of funny banter.

“I was in heaven.”

At the time, Adam was in between jobs but this did not deter Paige.

Within two months they were a couple and Adam, who left school at 16, spent time on Universal Credit and flitting between part-time low-level jobs.

Paige recalls: “My posh friends were horrified he didn’t have a career or ‘prospects.’

“I didn’t care, they were snobs.

“I had the checklist for a husband — a rich man who would have a big house and I wouldn’t have to work.

“Instead, I found a fella who is a forklift driver and earns less than me but is a dedicated fiance and who loves me.

“My checklist was silly, I’d be unhappily single if I’d stuck to it.

“My single friends who at first slagged off my choice are now asking him to introduce them to his tradie mates.”

Adam adds: “Paige was posh and prim when I met her, but she was not a snob.

“She’s my uptown girl and I am proud to be her downtown man.”

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — Barely two weeks after he ordered all his Cabinet officials, their deputy chiefs and heads of office to resign as part of the Bangsamoro bureaucracy’s cleansing process, Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua announced he would retain six of these top officials. Macacua announced on Saturday that he declined to accept

BOCAUE, BULACAN—Residents of this town and other parts of Bulacan braved the rain on Sunday to join or watch the fluvial procession marking the 175th year of the feast of the “Mahal na Krus sa Wawa,” or the town’s Feast of the Holy Cross. Bocaue Parish Priest Fr. Mario Jose Ladra led this year’s celebration