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Two health workers who died after testing positive for coronavirus have been remembered as “heroes.”
Jim Kenny, 49, of Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny died at his home Tuesday after working on the front line as a care assistant.
His colleague Catherine Hickey, 51, from the city of Kilkenny, died less than 24 hours later at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny, where they both worked.
The staff who worked alongside Jim and Catherine at St. Luke’s have been heartbroken, as have their families.
Catherine was a mother of two, while Jim had a son.
Bernadette Brennan, director of care at Brookhaven Nursing Home in Ballyragget, told the Irish Mirror that the community was devastated by Jim’s passing.
She said: “Jim had previously worked here, started in 2008 and worked here for five years.
“He was a sensational, jovial man, friendly to everyone and a fantastic member of staff.
“The community is devastated; He was heavily involved locally here with the launch.
“I sat down with the staff who would have worked with him here and we cried a little and had a cup of coffee together.
“These are very difficult times for the staff.”
Colleagues held a vigil and lit a candle in their own homes on Wednesday night to mark the loss of their friends.
A staff member said on Facebook, “Jim, we will miss your kind nature and your funny sense of humor.
“You touched the hearts of everyone you met, you really were one in a million.”
Her colleagues described Catherine as “a true lady who will never be forgotten.”
Fianna Fail TD for Kilkenny John McGuinness told the Irish Mirror: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Catherine Hickey and indeed to her colleagues at St. Lukes Hospital who have lost more than one friend in The last weeks.
“This shows how vulnerable we all are and also highlights the brilliance of our front line heroes and the enormous sacrifices they make to protect us all.”
Dr. John Cuddihy, Chairman of Carlow Kilkenny / St Luke’s Hospital Local Integrated Care Committee, told KCLR Live: “It really hit me, it shook me on Wednesday night when I received a text message around 11 p.m. words for that.
“On behalf of all my medical colleagues, GPs, and hospital consultants, I only wish to express my sincere condolences to the families of the two St Luke healthcare workers.
“They were two young men and they were taken from us in a cruel and cruel way. It really brings it home in a crude way.
“We have to support our colleagues, we are all afraid, we are all one but we are afraid of not being alone.
“All of our friends at St. Luke need a pat on the back for their work, they’re great.”
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