Michael Healy-Rae released from hospital after cow attack

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae is being released from hospital after sustaining injuries including fractured ribs in an attack by a cow on his farm in Co Kerry.

Mr Healy-Rae (49) was butted after calving a suckler cow in a shed on his farm in Kilgarvan at about 8pm on Sunday night.

He was taken to Cork University Hospital where he stayed for two nights. In a statement today he confirmed his release and said his injuries are “not too serious”, but he will have to rest for a few days.

“I am being released today from Cork University Hospital and the extent of my injuries are not too serious just a few fractured ribs, but I will just have to take it easy for a number of days,” he said.

Speaking to The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk on Tuesday, Mr Healy-Rae said he was lucky to be alive.

“She (the cow) got me unawares and she got me up against the bars, crushed like and she gave me a good old going over,” he said.

“And she got me on the ground, and when you’re on the ground. . . there’s only so much time that you can last at that. She was giving me a right doing.

“The last thing I remember is her actually standing on my face.”

He said he only escaped because his son and neighbour, who were working nearby, came to his aid.

Besides some “broken ribs”, he said he sustained bruising and cuts to the back of his head. He said he felt “extremely lucky” that the injuries were not more serious.

In his statement, he thanked hospital staff for their kindness and thanked the gardaí who took him some of the distance from Kilgarvan to Macroom.

The TD also said his thoughts and prayers are with the McGrotty and Daniels families after their tragedy and to the people of Brussels this morning.