*Pat Keogh.
A Newmarket-on-Fergus businessman has been praised after voluntarily driving one of the country’s most highest profile cancer campaigners to and from Dublin.
Vicky Phelan spoke on Morning Ireland last week and highlighted how treatment scheduled for April 8th was now a daunting prospect due to COVID-19. The Limerick woman usually relies on public transport to get to St Vincent’s University Hospital but would have been forced to drive presenting risks at petrol stations or locations where she may have had to use the toilet.
Phelan has been carefully cocooning since early March to minimise her chances of contracting the virus.
Her appearance on RTÉ Radio One was heard by Pat Keogh who operates one of the largest chauffeur businesses in the country. He made contact with Vicky and offered to drive her to and from Dublin to ensure maximum safety.
“I normally take the train up but I couldn’t take the risk with Covid-19 so I was going to have to drive myself up until Pat very kindly stepped in and insisted that the would drive me. I am blown away by his kindness, and indeed the kindness of people in general,” she said.
On Tuesday evening, Vicky shared her appreciation of Pat’s gesture on social media. She described Keogh as “a complete professional” who “had everything that we needed to protect us both” including gloves and hand sanitiser.
Home after a day of treatment. Feeling relaxed thanks to Pat Keogh, of @KeoghChauffeur
Pat heard me on @morningireland talking about driving to @svuh for treatment. He got in touch to offer to drive me up and back.
Thank you does not cover your amazingly kind gesture, Pat ❤ pic.twitter.com/RaK9rY1S1s
— Vicky Phelan (@PhelanVicky) April 8, 2020
Having left Limerick at 7:45am, Vicky was dropped home by 7pm after what she called “the smoothest ride”.
Deserved praise is being extended to the secretary of Club Clare on Twitter with Marketing and PR co-ordinator Nigel Dugdale encouraging people to remind Keogh’s name when the current pandemic ends.
Last year, Pat Keogh Chauffeur Services was the chosen company of the US President and Vice President in transporting their staff and delegation from Shannon Airport to Doonbeg.
