Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter Robinson, Rushed To Hospital

Northern Ireland experienced a blow this morning when their First Minister, Peter Robinson, was rushed to hospital following what onlookers suspect was a heart attack. Robinson was taken to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital in an ambulance just after the 9 a.m. this morning.

A spokesperson of his Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) reported that the 66-year-old politician is being treated for heart complaints and that the doctors are performing a number of tests to determine the cause of his heart issues.

A spokesperson from the hospital reported, “Mr. Robinson underwent a procedure this morning and is currently recovering in the Royal Victoria Hospital.” It’s also been rumored that his shamed wife, Iris (who was caught having an affair in 2010 which led to Robinson temporarily stepping down), and the rest of his family are at his bedside, willing on his speedy recovery.

Robinson’s fellow politicians are also wishing the best for their comrade. Prime Minister David Cameron was among the first to wish him well with his tweet.

“My best wishes to Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter Robinson, who is in hospital. I hope he has a speedy recovery.”

Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness also had kind words for the minister.

“Concerned to hear First Minister Peter Robinson has been admitted to hospital. My thoughts and prayers are with him, Iris, & family.”

Further concerned citizens, party members, and even members of the opposite party weighed in to show their support and well-wishes for the hospitalized minister.

Now, questions arise as to what could have caused the heart attack that caused Robinson to be rushed to hospital so quickly. Pressure has been mounting on the official for several months, particularly because of his push to block same-sex marriage. Just last month, he pushed to block the movement for the fifth time.

This puts a large political strain on him and his party since the Irish community very recently voted “Yes” on same sex marriage, according to this post published previously on the Inquistr. He has strong beliefs, but when those beliefs go against the general consensus, it doesn’t look good for his campaign.

Perhaps that’s the reason that Robinson just experienced one of one of the most difficult elections in history for his party, which entered a pact into the UUP, and began a battle to regain Belfast East since its loss in 2010 to the cross-community Alliance Party.

Robinson has been the First Minister of Northern Ireland since 2008 and has served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Belfast East since the country’s parliament was established in 1998. Ever since he has been rushed to hospital, well wishes for a speedy recovery have been coming from all over the nation and even farther.

[Image via Irish Central]