Minister for Health James Reilly found himself in most people’s idea of a worst nightmare yesterday – stuck in a lift with a hell of a lot of people trying to break him out. The Minister was on his way to an event when he became trapped in the elevator along with Junior Minister Katherine Lynch and press photographers.
The TD was attending the opening of a new mental health facility, Phoenix Care in Grangegorman in Dublin when the elevator stopped and prevented the occupants from exiting.
Rumour has it that the politician shouted “Oh, Kathleen!” when the elevator stopped moving. The ordeal lasted about 15 minutes before the Ministers were freed, following a substantial effort from everyone waiting outside.
Reilly trying to break free, photo courtesy of the Examiner
Reilly has come under fire over the last couple of weeks regarding cuts to mobility payments for disabled people without warning. Critics of the cuts surely got some entertainment out of the incident which left the pair slightly frazzled.
When the Ministers were finally freed, they joked about the event with Ms. Lynch stating: “I was practising mindfulness, yes, it’s very good for you — living in the now.”
Karma’s a b*tch, isn’t it?
