I’m writing this as a family member, not staff, as I didn’t work here at the time. Since the DAISY only came to Navan last year, and I missed the deadline, this is my opportunity to thank Sinead. When I was only 13, my mam died suddenly of a cardiac arrest, she was only 51 with 8 children. My dad took over as mother and father; he truly was a great man. In July 2006, my dad, who never complained, became very unwell. We took him to the ED in Navan, and he was admitted to the old male surgical upstairs, with a query of kidney stones. The following morning, my sister, brother, and I came for an update. We were faced with the worst news imaginable, they discovered he had a leaking aneurysm on the main aorta and had to be transferred to the Mater for surgery.

Sinead was the nurse who had to go in the ambulance with him; we just knew he couldn’t be in better hands. I could see how caring she was towards him; she asked for a mobile phone number so she could keep us updated. Sinead rang after arriving at the Mater to let us know he was there; she spoke about how lovely a man he was and how he spoke of us all. Unfortunately, surgery wasn’t successful, and Dad passed away. We were devastated, absolutely heartbroken, but to this day, the difference having Sinead with him that day has made to us. Knowing that his last conversation, last thoughts, and last memory were with such a kind, compassionate, and caring person who genuinely cared about both dad and us has left us feeling so at ease and reassured. This July marks his 20th anniversary, and I speak for myself and my family when I say we will forever be grateful to Sinead for that day. She was our angel.