Amy Balfe and her partner Thomas Donnery were en route
to the Rotunda Hospital from their home in Rush on November 10 when Amy felt a
call of nature and asked Thomas to pull into the Topaz site at Lissenhall,
Swords, just off the M1 motorway.
Neither had any idea of how close Amy was to giving
birth and it was only after visiting the ladies that Amy realised she had
reached the point of no return.
Emergency
While Thomas ran to the counter to ask staff for a
phone to ring the emergency services, Amy gave birth to baby Katie.
Luckily, both mum and 7lb 13oz baby Katie were fine.
Thomas stayed on the phone to paramedics until the emergency services arrived a
short time later while site staff provided support.
It transpired later that Amy had chosen a good place
to stop off. The petrol station is where Amy had her first job – she worked
there for four years – and because of that and the fact she was a regular
customer, she knew some of the staff on duty.
Amy (28), who was 40 weeks gone, at the time described
what happened on the day.
“I began feeling contractions around 5.30pm,
? she
said.
“I talked to my mum and the hospital and we decided to
head to the Rotunda around 7.45. I thought I just needed to go to the loo but
once I was in Topaz I couldn’t move.
Unbelievable
“Then it all happened so quickly and Katie popped out
after just two pushes. It was just unbelievable.
?
When searching for a gift for baby Katie, Topaz staff
at the site discovered that the birthstone for November was of course Topaz!
Presenting Katie with a necklace and bracelet with
Topaz stones, Frank Gleeson, Retail Director, said he and everyone at the
company was thrilled for all the family.
“The most important thing is that both mum and baby
are well and we are delighted to welcome Katie back here today with Amy and
Thomas,
? Mr Gleeson told Northside People.
“Amy was extremely brave throughout this ordeal and
ably supported by a very calm Thomas and the staff here at the site, everything
went as smoothly as possible.
?
Amy said she would especially like to thank all the
staff at Topaz Westview for their help, as well as members of the fire and
ambulance services who were so professional in their response.