News

Senator found with head injuries is on life-support

DONEGAL Labour senator Jimmy Harte is expected to remain on a life-support system until later this week after being found unconscious on the street with serious head injuries.

He is in an induced coma at Dublin's Beaumont hospital after undergoing emergency surgery for a fractured skull.

Senator Harte was found near his apartment at New-market Square in Dublin at about 3am on Saturday after attending the Republic of Ireland v Latvia game at the Aviva stadium on Friday evening.

A member of one of Co Donegal's best-known political families, Senator Harte is a son of now-retired Fine gael junior minister Paddy Harte, who was once the "father of the Dail" as its longest serving member.

Last night Senator Harte's family were hopeful that he would make a full recovery.

His sister Mary told The Irish News: "He had a comfortable night [on Saturday] and is likely to remain on life-support until Tuesday or Wednesday because of the extent of the injuries. He is in an induced coma."

Mrs Harte, a well-known journalist and radio producer, said initial investigations appeared to indicate that the senator had sustained the injuries in a fall.

"Jimmy has a heart condition but he runs marathons and is very fit," she said.

"He may have collapsed or blacked out from that and that would account for him falling backwards."

Mrs Harte said gardai had surveyed CCTV footage from the area and there have been no early indications of foul play.

She said doctors believed her brother's personal fitness was working in his favour.

Mrs Harte said the family were rallying around her brother's wife and children.