DULEEK PHARMACIST JOE MCNALLY SAVES LIFE OF BOY WITH CPR
A quick-thinking pharmacist in Duleek has saved the life of a toddler, who took a seizure near the shop.
The family of little Zac Fanthorpe want to express their sincere gratitude to Joe McNally from McNally’s 365 Pharmacy, after he administered CPR to the 2-year-old, who had stopped breathing.
The youngster is now recovering at home and his mum Denise and granny Sandy both say there could have been a very different outcome.
“We just really want to thank Joe, and the two local first responders Pauline Durkan and Tom Maher, who also helped out in the emergency,” says Sandy.
“If it wasn’t for them, we could be telling a very different story, and not one with such a happy ending.”
The tot had been ill for about ten days, and a GP had requested further tests to try and explain the mystery virus.
Zac had been taken to the chemist near their home to fill a prescription, when he fell to the ground and began to fit.
“I had never seen anything like it, and Joe just sprang into action, and if he was shocked, he didn’t show it, and stayed calm through-out,” she explains.
“Pauline and Tom were also there in minutes with the local defibrillator and it just reminds you how qualified pharmacists are, and what amazing volunteers we have in our community.”
Speaking to the Drogheda Independent, the modest pharmacist said he didn’t consider himself any kind of hero.
“I was just glad to be able to help in any situation and am delighted that the child is doing so well,” said Mr McNally.
“I only completed a refresher course in CPR recently, and I would encourage anyone to do a course, as they are available all over the country and they can literally save lives.”
He also praised the first responders who are on the scene ahead of the ambulance, which took Zac to hospital a short time later.
Zac’s mum says Zac is in good spirits, and glad to be out of hospital.
“We are all so grateful to Joe, Pauline and Tom, and are glad we were in the right place, at the right time,” says mum Denise.
“It’s good to know we have people like this in our community.”