Tributes have been pouring in for a long-serving south Dublin GP who died after testing positive for Covid-19 in early January.
Rathfarnham native Paul McDermott, who operated from his surgery on Glendoher Road for over two decades, tested positive for the virus after his sudden death at his home on January 4.
If Dr. McDermott's death is officially confirmed as due to Covid-19 complications, he will be the first GP in Ireland to have died at the hands of the cruel virus.
So far, eleven health care workers have had their lives taken by Covid-19 including one hospital based doctor.
The family of 57-year-old Paul are awaiting the results of his postmortem but it is understood that he had been treating Covid patients weeks before he died according to this morning's The Irish Times.
His mother, Sarah MacAuley was also a well-known GP in the area, opening her practice in the '60s.
Dr. McDermott was a student of Terenure College before going on to study medicine in UCD, training in hospitals in Dublin and Scotland.
He qualified in 1990 and had worked at Rathfarnham Medical since 1999.
His death notice reads: "Paul passed away suddenly and peacefully at home on the 4th of January leaving his family and friends heartbroken.
"Predeceased by his father Jim, he will be forever missed by his mother Dr Sarah Macauley (Sadie), his sister Deirdre, brother Ray, sister-in-law Grace, cherished nieces and nephews Lucy, Harry, Jimmy and Gracín, aunts, uncles, and cousins."
It continues: "The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the heartfelt messages of condolence received from Paul’s Terenure College and UCD classmates and the many friends Paul made during his personal and professional life."
