After enduring four miscarriages in four years a couple in Limerick have welcomed quadruplets into the world, with just one minute between the birth of each of their three daughters and one son.

James and Grace Slattery, a couple of ten years, conceived their brood naturally without in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The new arrivals – Amelia, Lily Grace, Molly and Lucas – ranged from 2lbs15oz to 4lbs3oz and were all born within four minutes of each other at 3.54pm.

The babies made their presence felt in the early hours of Tuesday morning when Grace went into labor. James was given a police escort to be with his wife as she went into labor and he arrived just in the nick of time.

Grace, who works as a child-minder, was due to have a Caesarean-section on Tuesday, but the babies decided they couldn’t wait and arrived earlier than planned.

James told his story on TodayFM’s Ray D’Arcy show. The proud father, who is calling himself “The Quadfather,” told listeners that “things have been tough for Grace.” The couple suffered four miscarriages in recent years and Grace had been in the hospital a total of 11 weeks during this pregnancy.

On Tuesday morning his wife phoned and told him to “get ready to go,” that the babies were on their way.

He said, “I got a phone call at half 12 from my wife in the Rotunda to say that her waters were after breaking and to be on standby, get ready to go.

“Grace told me, ‘You’re not going to make it here on time. You need to get on to the Garda and see if you can get an escort up.’ I thought she was away with the birds, I didn’t think it would happen at all.”

One of the police officers had just become the father of twins himself which may have added to his urgency.

James continued, “They literally gave us a lift all the way up to the Rotunda and I ran in the door and just made it in time…I literally got out of the car, opened my dad’s boot, took out the video camera, ran in and there she was saying ‘Hiya hows things.. I’m just fixing my hair give me a couple of minutes.’”

Mother and all four babies are happy and healthy, although when asked how they will manage with four babies James said, “I’m still trying to figure that one out myself.”

Grace posted to Facebook saying, “So I didn't have my section today cause the babies decided they wanted to come out yesterday, so within four minutes at six minutes to four i gave birth to four babies [sic].

"Amelia Helen - 4lbs 3oz

"Mollie Rose - 2lbs15oz

"Lucas James - 3lbs10oz

"Lily Grace May - 3lbz4oz

"All came out kicking and screaming and all are doing well at the moment.... Thanks for all yer good wishes and keep praying for babies xxxx.Our family of 3 is now a family of 7!!! Amazing [sic]."