THE family of Scarlett Faulkner said they were preparing for her life support to be switched off, three weeks after she was assaulted and suffered critical head injuries.
Ms Faulkner, aged in her 20s, has been in an induced coma on life support at Cork University Hospital (CUH) since she was attacked on the side of the R494 road, outside the village of Birdhill, County Tipperary, on March 21 last.
Members of the young mother’s family have been posting regular updates on social media of her condition in hospital and asking people to pray for her recovery.
In a social media post, Josephine (Joanne) Duffy, a partner of Scarlett’s brother Thomas Faulkner, said: “Things are not looking good. On Friday they’re disconnecting Scarlett (from) her life/support machine.”
Ms Faulkner had been in an induced coma at CUH to help swelling in her brain reduce.
Asking for help in organising a funeral, Ms Duffy said: “The family have never buried anyone ever before.”
Ms Duffy thanked the public for their support for Scarlett over the past three weeks, writing: “Thanks so much for all the prayers that didn’t go unnoticed, and pray now for peace for Scarlett, and justice, of course, thank ye all so much.”
Other family members have shared their grief online, saying they were heartbroken and lost for words.
People across Limerick and Ireland have expressed support and condolences to the Faulkner family in the past days and weeks. One woman wrote in a response to the family: “I live across from the hospital and have been praying every time I passed by this past few weeks.”
“God give you all comfort. This is a story that Ireland will never forget.”
A 16-year-old girl is before the courts charged with assault causing serious harm to Ms Faulkner on March 21 last.
A 40-year old woman is charged with endangerment, violent disorder, as well as burglary, arising out of the Garda investigation into the alleged assault.
The girl and the woman cannot be identified by order of the court.
The two accused have been remanded in custody to appear before Tipperary District Court, sitting in Nenagh, on April 23.