Mayo man forever grateful to Dublin fireman who saved his life

Former Castlebar councillor Eamon Joyce was a victim of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), a condition which requires immediate medical intervention. Only one in four survive the condition

The mood on the coach carrying Eamon Joyce and other supporters of the Castlebar Mitchels ladies’ team to Ballinasloe for the intermediate club championship final last month was excellent. Eamon’s friends noticed, however, that he wasn’t joining much in the fun and banter.

There was a reason for his being off form.

Ten minutes into the game he collapsed on the terraces at Duggan Park, the victim of what is known as Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), the abrupt loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness.

The long-serving Mitchels club stalwart, and former public representative, tells TOM SHIEL he owes his life to skilled first responders, especially Denis Hannan, a Dublin fireman, who revived him before paramedics took over, transferring him firstly to the local Portiuncula Hospital and afterwards to University College Hospital Galway where an emergency procedure involving the insertion of three heart stents was performed.

Here is Eamon’s story.

I was greatly looking forward to the game with Sylvester’s. It would be lovely, I thought, to get out again with friends after the long Covid lockdown and see the girls playing on the biggest day so far of their football careers.

On the morning of the match my best friend, Jude Walsh, joined me and we walked from Castlebar town centre to the Mitchels clubhouse where we were due to board the coach transporting us to Ballinasloe.

On one of the steeper inclines en route to the pitch, I noticed I was slightly breathless. Also there was a strange tingling in both my arms. It was a forewarning of what was to come later.

In Ballinasloe, Jude and I met up with other friends, Mitchels’ supporters. We enjoyed a pint or two and a hot whiskey before proceeding to the match venue.

I remember feeling cold and borrowed a friend’s woolly cap. The game started. About ten minutes in I didn’t feel too well and went to the toilet.

I returned to my seat. That is the last thing I remember.

When I regained consciousness I was being wheeled along under the bright lights of Portiuncula’s intensive care unit.

What had happened to me on the pitch was related to me later by my friends during my recovery time in hospital.

I had “gone out like a light”, I was told, but other match attendees with first aid experience sprang into action.

One of those who rendered vital medical assistance was Greg Hannan, a member of Dublin Fire Brigade. Greg was at the pitch to support his club team, Sylvester’s.

Greg did CPR before getting to work with a defibrillator. The great work by Greg and others undoubtedly saved my life.

Since my emergency I’ve read that if not treated immediately sudden cardiac arrest can lead to death. Survival is only possible with fast, appropriate medical care.

After initial treatment in Portiuncla, I was moved by ambulance to UHG.

It was action stations when I arrived. There was a TV like screen in theatre where I could watch as the stents were inserted but I’m afraid I wasn’t up for watching that kind of telly.

In total, I spent twelve days in hospital. It would have been less had I not picked up pneumonia as a result of fluids taken in during cardiac arrest. I am still on medication for pneumonia.

I am lucky to have survived an SCA. I’m told that three out of four don’t. I am one of the one in four who does survive.

I have yet to meet and personally thank Greg Hannan and the many others who intervened to save me at the pitch. Also I owe a debt of gratitude to staff at both Co. Galway hospitals as well as ambulance personnel who cared for and monitored my condition on the way to the hospitals.

I certainly won’t ever tolerate criticism for the HSE or ambulance personnel given the excellent treatment I received.

My advice, especially those in the age bracket 60 to 70, what I call the ‘cop-on’ years, is to attend your GP on a regular basis. That was my mistake.

I wasn’t going to a doctor. I thought I was adequately fit. I was fairly active prior to Covid, walking briskly most days.

My failure to regularly attend my GP nearly cost me my life.

Since my emergency I have quit my ten Silk Cut a day smoking habit. At one stage, during a 40 year plus smoking habit, I was going through a 20 packet every day.

Quitting the fags is one sacrifice I don’t mind making.

Since my experience I have been getting goodwill messages from all over the world.

One of my most treasured possessions is a ‘get well’ card signed by each and every members of the Mitchels ladies team and a gift pack of three pairs of Mayo football socks.

Three pairs of socks? They must think I am going back playing football again.

And do you know, girls, I just might tog out now that I am getting back to health again.