News

Coronavirus victim's daughter issues stark warning

Jackie Farrell displayed few symptoms of coronavirus before falling victim to Covid-19.
Jackie Farrell displayed few symptoms of coronavirus before falling victim to Covid-19. Jackie Farrell displayed few symptoms of coronavirus before falling victim to Covid-19.

A CO Tyrone woman has set aside personal grief at the death of her father from coronavirus to warn others to adhere to government guidelines.

Jackie Farrell, from St Colman’s Drive in Strabane, died at Altnagelvin Hospital from the virus last Thursday.

The pensioner's daughter Maria has used social media to warn people not to think they will be immune to Covid-19.

The Strabane woman also revealed that her sister Ursula is currently being treated for the virus in the intensive care unit at Altnagelvin.

Her sister was taken into hospital on April 1, the same day as her father, who died the following day.

"As daddy passed over our sister lay in another ward in the same hospital fighting for her life," Ms Farrell said.

The 88 year-old was well known in Strabane where he worked as an Ulsterbus bus driver. Originally from Convoy in Donegal, he was predeceased by his wife, Mary who was originally from Arranmore Island.

Ms Farrell told The Irish News her father had few of the symptoms of Covid-19. While he had a cough, it had stopped before he went downhill suddenly.

In an emotional appeal to people on Facebook, she said: “My dad was a very strong man. He had slight symptoms; he had really no symptoms of Covid-19 whatsoever but it got to his lungs and it took him very, very quickly.

“My sister is lying in hospital as we speak and she’s fighting for her life so we need your prayers.”

Ms Farrell had a stark warning for anyone who believed they could not be affected by the virus.

She said: “If you think that you’re going to be exempt from this or you’re immune to Covid-19, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

Mr Farrell had come through different illness his life, including prostrate cancer and heart attacks but always bounced back until he was stricken with Covid-19, his daughter said.

"He went downhill very quickly but remained alert enough to know his time was up and made a remark when looking at a photo of himself and mummy that 'it wouldn't be long now Mary'."

Ms Farrell also paid tribute to the people of Strabane who, while observing social distancing, stood in tribute to her father as his cortege passed by.

“There was no funeral or Mass but the Strabane people made it for our family,” she said.