The 18-year-old student took ill at St Michael’s College, Enniskillen. RMGFH50
A local student rushed to hospital with meningitis is improving in hospital.
Fermanagh has been hit by a meningitis scare after an 18-year-old St Michael’s pupil was rushed to hospital last Friday afternoon.
Seventh year student Conor McManus, from Enniskillen became ill in school around lunch-time on Friday and it became apparent very quickly that he was in a serious condition. An ambulance was called and arrived promptly before the student was taken to hospital early on Friday afternoon, January 29.
St Michael’s College chaplain Canon Macartan McQuaid explained how the situation arose on Friday.
“He took ill on Friday and drew the immediate attention of the school nurse. Ambulance authorities were contacted, the hospital was contacted and he was taken to the South West Acute and he has been there since.”
On Friday Conor was described as “seriously ill” in an update on Twitter from St Michael’s College, but in a further update on Tuesday Canon McQuaid said: “He is improving, but is still quite ill.”
Late on Tuesday evening Canon McQuaid took to Twitter to give some good news: “Good news to tell. Conor much improved. Conscious and eating thanks to God and to your prayers. Still in critical care and a bit to do.”
The sudden illness has shocked a tight-knit school community, which in the past year has suffered through the death of 13-year-old Belcoo student Oisin McGrath, who died on February 12, 2015 and recently through the passing of former pupil Anthony Mulvey (21), also from Belcoo, who died in a car crash close to Mullaghdun on January 24.
“We’ve had a lot of sadness, yes,” said Canon McQuaid.
He continued: “A year 14 pupil, healthy, big lad, it was a major shock. We have had prayers for him and we have Mass here every Tuesday for the boys. Today (Tuesday) Mass will be offered for his full and speedy recovery.”
He described Conor, a keen GAA player, as a “very bright pupil” and a “model young fellow”.
“He would have been on the preliminary panel (MacRory Cup) and would be into his sport.
“He is a very bright pupil and is a very model young fellow. He hopefully will be back soon and continue to be.”
“People have been so supportive and the response of pupils and people generally has been so good. With any young person suffering an illness, especially an unexpected sudden illness the response of the community is always very supportive,” Canon McQuaid concluded.
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