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. Readers like you a