Quadruple joy for offaly couple

An Offaly family is preparing for life with five boys under two years old after their quadruplets were born in Dublin at the weekend.

Kilclonfert’s Anita Kelly gave birth to four baby boys at the Rotunda Hospital on Saturday. The boys, Tom (2lb 5 ounces), James (1lb 9 ounces), Charlie (2lb 4 ounces) and Luke (2lb 8 ounces) were born at 29 weeks. They have an older brother Matthew, who recently turned one.

Parents David and Anita, who got married on New Year’s Eve in 2012, now have five boys under the age of 15 months. The quads were conceived naturally, defying odds of one in 700,000.   

The boy’s aunt, Elaine Dunne, said the babies are being cared for in the special care baby unit at the Rotunda. “They are stable at the minute, they are happy with them,” she remarked, adding: “they are in the best place possible and they are getting the best of care.”

Elaine said: “Anita is doing super, David is doing good too, he is so proud.” Anita has remained at the hospital with her newborns. However, David had to return home to work and he has been visiting the hospital when he can. “He is a farmer, so as well as delivering babies, he is flat out delivering lambs here,” Elaine explained.

Anita discovered she was expecting quads ten weeks into her pregnancy. “She was totally shocked. It was a lot to take on,” Elaine remarked. She described Anita as “a great girl with a great outlook.”

Doctors at the Rotunda will now monitor the babies until they are ready to come home. Although even getting a car that can take five car seats will be a challenge, Elaine said the local community in Kilclonfert is ready and eagerly waiting to help out in any way it can.

“We are lucky all our family, the Kellys and the Fitzgeralds, we are all close by,” she said. While they wait, the family and friends are sending good wishes and praying for the baby boys.  “They are stable and we are hoping they are little fighters,” said Elaine.