THE Alliance councillor Michael Long has received a flood of support from political colleagues and others after suffering a major seizure over the weekend.
His wife, Alliance Party leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long, shared the news of the “terrifying experience” on social media and thanked the many people wishing him a speedy recovery.
“It’s been quite a week for us. After a fantastic (party conference), Michael had a massive seizure on Sunday afternoon,” she wrote.
Thanking paramedics and medical staff at the UIster Hospital, she added: “It was a terrifying experience, but they got us through it and provided the reassurance and care we needed. Still processing everything that this means for us, but grateful to everyone for their understanding and support in the meantime.”
It's been quite a week for us.
— Naomi Long MLA (@naomi_long) March 7, 2024
After a fantastic @allianceparty conference, @CllrMichaelLong had a massive seizure on Sunday afternoon.
Thanks to the paramedics from @NIAS999 and the ED and neurology staff in the @setrust Ulster Hospital for all their help.
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A former Lord Mayor of Belfast, Mr Long represents the Lisnasharragh electoral area in east Belfast.
Last year, he spoke out after threatening graffiti was spray painted on the wall of his wife’s constituency office in east Belfast - following an Irish News report about a loyalist bonfire site displaying sectarian and Nazi images.
MLAs from the main Stormont parties were quick to pass on messages of support to Mr Long as well as the DUP’s East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson and the former First Minister Arlene Foster
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth commented: “Michael I hope you get better quickly, take care of yourself. You’re a good man,” to which Mrs Long replied: “He’s a header who doesn’t know when to stop working! And now I’m driving him mad, hiding his phone and trying to force him to rest.”
Michael Bloomfield, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Trust, also expressed his support and thanked Mrs Long for the appreciation shown to his staff.
