O'Donovan returns to hospital amid ongoing treatment

Updated / Friday, 6 Nov 2026 18:09

Fine Gael minister Patrick O'Donovan has returned to hospital due to his ongoing medical condition, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said.

The Fine Gael leader confirmed his party colleague's re-admission to hospital at a wider press conference before Fine Gael's Ard Fheis this weekend.

At the start of this week, the Government confirmed Minister O'Donovan had stepped back temporarily from his media minister role, but remains a minister at Cabinet without a portfolio.

The decision came after he became unwell at an EU Presidency event last month due to his epilepsy condition, and after a high profile phone call during it from the Tánaiste.

He had, earlier that day, accused colleagues of "the ultimate in betrayal" by previously briefing negatively about his health to a Sunday newspaper.

Asked today to confirm reports Minister O'Donovan has now returned to hospital, the Tánaiste said: "I spoke to Patrick today, I spoke to Patrick's family today.

"Out of respect to Patrick I'm not going to provide a running commentary on his health, other than to say it is a statement of fact to say he is on leave for medical reasons at the moment.

"His family did say that his new treatment would need time to bed down and part of that treatment would mean over time he will need observations or perhaps medical attention or medical care.

"So while he may be back in hospital it is part of his ongoing treatment."

Asked if Minister O'Donovan is now in hospital, he said: "That is my belief, all I can tell you is I spoke to Patrick, I spoke to Patrick, he's in good spirits and they're working to get his treatment right and I'm happy that that's the case."