Image courtesy of nopsa.hiit.fi

The incident occurred at around 2PM on Saturday afternoon when Abbey O’Donoghue and her family were attending her cousin’s 21st birthday party in Ballynacally, about 16km from Ennis.

The toddler was playing in the garden when the family dog attacked her in an unprovoked incident. Relatives then managed to pull the dog off her. She sustained serious injuries in the attack and was rushed to Mid-Western regional hospital in Limerick before being moved to Galway University Hospital.

This is the second instance in a few weeks of an otherwise placid family pet attacking a toddler. Earlier this month two-year old Reece O’Leary from Carew Park in Limerick was also attacked by a husky. The incident is eerily similar to that of Abbey O’Donoghue, as the dog was the same breed and the attack also occurred while the toddler was playing in the garden.

ISPCA dog warden for Clare, Frank Coote, spoke to The Independent about the dangers that come with owning a dog. “This is the second serious attack in just a few weeks involving this breed of dog but it’s not just huskies that can attack your children,” Mr Coote said. “Large dogs and small children just don’t mix.”

An announcement was made on the flight from Gatwick Airport after 47-year-old Paul Norbury fell ill some 45 minutes into the journey.

Holly Branson helped save the life of a passenger

Sir Richard’s 26-year-old daughter, Holly, a qualified doctor, came forward to offer her help, before speaking to medical experts on the ground.

A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said a decision was taken by Holly and medical staff on the ground to divert the flight to Ireland’s Shannon Airport for Mr Norbury to attend Ennis General Hospital by ambulance.

Sir Richard said: “I’m incredibly proud of Holly and pleased that her qualifications were able to save the life of one of our passengers.”

Among the passengers on board the Boeing 747, Virgin Flight VS33, was former Formula 1 boss Eddie Jordan who later contacted Sir Richard to congratulate his daughter’s actions.

The Virgin Atlantic spokesman said: “Holly tended to the patient and in conjunction with the medical team on the ground decided that he was suffering a mild heart attack and he needed to get to hospital as soon as possible.”

Within an hour of the landing at Shannon Airport, the Boeing continued on to Antigua. Holly is due to spend Christmas on Sir Richard’s private island.

She studied at University College London before passing her exams last year and starting her first job at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. She is now involved in running Virgin Healthcare.

The Virgin Atlantic spokesman said: “It’s the ultimate case of the flying doctor.”