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This young husband and father can no longer walk or talk after hitting his head kitesurfing

“You still dream that Dominic will one day just start talking to you.”

IN MAY 2011, Dominic Morrogh left his wife and eight month old baby at home to go kite surfing on Dollymount Strand.

Out on the water, Dominic badly hit his head on some rocks and sustained a traumatic brain injury causing him to fall into a minimally conscious state.

Four years on and Dominic is still unable to walk or talk and is a resident of Donnybrook Royal Hospital.

While the treatment he receives is top class, his wife Tara has no guarantee that he will be able to stay there in the future.

Dominic now comes home for a few hours every Sunday where he has some family time with his wife and little girl Sonia.

Tara explains that “Sunday is a pretty chaotic day but it’s a great day because Dominic comes home” adding, “He comes from about 12-4pm and we have a bit of time just as a family to relax.”

dominic 4 Dominic Morrogh Trust Dominic Morrogh Trust

We don’t know where Dominic’s at and we don’t know what Dominic’s path is.

‘I just hope we get something of Dominic back’

Dominic’s father spends every weekend with his son, he gets the train from Cork to Dublin at 7am on Friday morning and goes back on Sunday evening.

He said, “I’m slightly obsessed with his situation now because I never dreamt of getting somewhere like this, but it happens and we’ve just got to deal with it.

I just hope we get something of Dominic back, where he has some pleasure out of life and he can enjoy his wife and child.

“His wife has been a wonderful support to him in every way and Sonia his little girl is just a great blessing to all of them.”

dominic 3 Dominic Morrogh Trust Dominic Morrogh Trust

His sister Mary said, “You still dream that Dominic will one day just start talking to you and for me, as much as I thought I’d never say it, but I really do miss Dominic pulling the piss out of me all of the time and teasing me all of the time.

dominic Dominic and his sister Mary Dominic Morrogh Trust Dominic Morrogh Trust

I do sit there and dream and believe and hope that one day he will start to do that again.

‘Don’t Save Me, Then Leave Me’

Acquired Brain Injury Ireland says more and more people are surviving ABI due to advances in medicine, but it warns that the lack of services available means that they are often left to live on the margins of society.

An estimated 10-13,000 people in Ireland suffer brain injuries every year.

It says that many young victims are left to live in nursing homes and community hospitals and that it’s currently a lottery as to if and when vital rehabilitation services are available to them.

ABI Ireland has launched a campaign “Don’t Save Me, Then Leave Me” asking the government to implement a policy plan which was drawn up in 2011 to provide rehabilitation care for victims of brain injury.

ABI Ireland has also set up a petition which has been supported by rugby legend Ronan O’Gara and rock band Hermitage Green.

The Dominic Morrogh Trust Fund has been set up to help Dominic access the best care and therapy. 

Read: One teenager’s ‘terrifying journey’ through Ireland’s health system after brain injury>

Read: 13-year old Ronan Fitzgerald had 120 seconds of life left after a clash of heads>

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    Mute Celticspirit321
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    May 12th 2014, 6:48 AM

    Every business in Ennis has been a victim of crazy council rates. That council doesn’t understand the meaning of supporting business. Trump is over this week. Maybe he might give them a lecture on how to grow businesses

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    Mute ThomasFrancisMeagher
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    May 12th 2014, 8:32 AM

    …… but robbing shops is part of our culture boss, it’s discrimination to stop us doing it ……

    ….. our people have been robbing shops all over Europe for centuries, you can’t punish us for following our traditional way of life ……

    …… the govment won’t give us free money for sitting on our backsides so we have to rob, I’d a difficult childhood & people at school laughter at me cox I’m stupid & only wear tracksuits ever …… gimme another chance your honour I’ll definitely learn this 63rd time

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    Mute mjhint
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    May 12th 2014, 9:22 AM

    Every haulage business in the country has had some experience of crime, be it in Ireland or abroad & when it happens overseas we are then the victims of police incompetence or sanction because of the crime perpetrated against us. No help or assistance from the dept of transport or foreign affairs just to add insult to injury.

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    Mute Mark O'Hagan
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    May 12th 2014, 2:16 PM

    By “crime” are you including staff pilferage?

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