Dad gets 'clothes' encounter with helpful staff after collapse

Louise Walsh

A Meath woman has said a huge thanks to staff at a local launderette who came to her father's aid when he collapsed at the counter on Tuesday.

Pat McHale (71) is now undergoing tests at Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin after his health scare at Ratoath Dry Cleaners

The retired grandfather was bringing in clothes to be dry-cleaned ahead of a wedding this weekend, when he collapsed at 11.40am

"Staff asked him for his mobile number for the receipt when he just fell back and hit the floor," said his daughter Edel Wyer.

"He had been taking a few dizzy spells recently but this time he went out cold for almost a minute.

"Staff rushed around to help him and thankfully a nurse, Grainne Fitzpatrick was passing and, spotting what had happened, checked him straightaway.

"He was very shaken and very confused when he came around but he knew he was in safe hands with Niamh and the staff who stayed with him until the ambulance came.

"Staff even accessed his phone and rang around to tell my mum Mildred and family what had happened.

"On behalf of my family, I just want to say a huge thanks to the staff and to Grainne for being there for my dad when it happened and making sure he was ok until he was brought to hospital."

_{- The name of the nurse who came to Pat's aid was Grainne Fitzpatrick and not Niamh Fitzpatrick as previously reported and we've now corrected that here.}