Tóibín upbeat despite cancer scare

Meath West TD, Peadar Tóibín spoke this week about his skin cancer diagnosis but vowed to be back in action and resuming his work shortly.

The Aontú leader is now recovering from surgery but said he expects to be up and about in the next week or so.

The Navan native is urging people to use sunscreen and wear a hat – he was diagnosed with melanoma, following the discovery of a spot on his head.

He went public this week informing his constituents that he would be out of action for a few days and telling them that the Aontu offices are open, if they need help with anything.

“Our offices will still be open so don't hesitate to call if you are in a bind. I'm confident that I'll be back, shoulder to the wheel, in a few days,” he said.

Deputy Tóibín explains that he noticed something on his head that wasn't healing in the middle of the pandemic.

“I had a biopsy but we weren't expecting it to be anything more than pre-cancerous cells, but it was a mid-sized tumour.

“I had surgery a few weeks ago to take out a tumour about one and a half times the size of a €2 coin. It was sent to the lab and they believe there was more they needed to take out so I've just had more surgery there and had lymph nodes taken out. Also the skin that has been removed has been replaced with skin from my leg.

“I'm on strong pain killers at the moment and I have to have a scan, but I am confident and I'll be up and about shortly.”

Deputy Tóibín paid tribute to the medical staff who have been looking after him.

“Our health staff, the doctors and nurses have been doing amazing work in the pandemic,” he said.