THE family of Scarlett Faulkner, a young mother who was left in an induced coma after suffering severe injuries, said a decision to take her off hospital life support has been delayed as they wait for the result of a final assessment of her condition.
Ms Faulkner, aged in her 20s, has been on life support at Cork University Hospital (CUH) for the past three weeks, after she was attacked on the side of the road outside the village of Birdhill, County Tipperary, on March 21.
Members of the Limerick woman’s family have been posting regular updates on social media of her condition and asking people to continue 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” for Ms Faulkner and that her life support was to be disconnected this Friday.
Ms Faulkner has been in an induced coma at CUH to help reduce swelling of her brain.
Ms Duffy said on Wednesday that the Faulkner family were looking for assistance from the public in arranging “big love-hearts”, “red carpets”, “a lilac casket”, and a horse drawn coach for her funeral.
However, in a fresh statement this Friday, Ms Duffy said the results of a final test in respect of Ms Faulkner’s condition are awaited.
Ms Duffy said the doctors could not take Ms Faulkner off life support without the results of one final test.
“That test is not back until Sunday or Monday, and the test is coming from England, so this is the last test,” said Ms Duffy.
She added that “the family still want all (your) prayers, because, of course, they are still hoping for a miracle, but they did talk to consultants and (the consultants) did tell them how it is, so they’re preparing themselves for that.”
“I want to thank everyone, for all your prayers for all your candles lighting, keeping (the family) in your mind, and the support that you’re giving for Scarlett.”
A 16-year-old girl is before the courts charged with assault causing serious harm to Ms Faulkner on March 21.
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 on Ms Faulkner.
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 on April 23.