Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan hospitalised in Brussels

Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan was hospitalized in Brussels this week after becoming unwell during an official trip. The incident occurred while O’Donovan was attending a cultural event as part of Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union.

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I can confirm that the Minister became unwell in Brussels on Tuesday night and was taken to hospital. He remains under close medical observation ... There will be no further comment at this time.

A spokeswoman confirmed the minister became unwell on Tuesday night and was taken to hospital, where he remains under close medical observation. No further comment was provided at this time.

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My worst nightmare was that someone would question if I was drunk if I suffered an episode during an interview or public appearance.

O’Donovan has previously spoken publicly about his experience living with epilepsy, a condition he was diagnosed with more than 10 years ago. The Limerick politician has a photosensitivity that manifests as epilepsy, and he was diagnosed in 2016. He has managed the condition since, describing in the past how he experienced "violent episodes" and sometimes struggled with his speech during interviews or in the Dáil.

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The reason that I didn’t speak openly before 2025 about my epilepsy was I was terrified that people wouldn’t vote for me, and that my prospects of being promoted would hit the bin.

He revealed earlier this year that his "worst nightmare" was someone questioning if he was drunk if he suffered an episode during a public appearance. O’Donovan admitted he had been "ashamed" of his epilepsy due to ignorance about neurological conditions but stated it does not impede him when managed. He had been hesitant to speak openly about it before 2025, fearing it would harm his political career and prospects of promotion.

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I was ashamed of my epilepsy because I was ignorant of what it is to have a neurological condition.