It only takes one punch

I met Brian in April 2013. He was assaulted on July 19, 2009 in an unprovoked attack in Nottingham. He sustained a severe brain injury that left him blind and paralysed on his left side. After three months in intensive care and seven months in rehabilitation, he was able to move back to Ireland and now lives at Clare Castle, a rehabilitation facility in Ennis, run by Acquired Brain Injury, Ireland close to his family. While perpetrator Martin Slack has been released from prison after serving part of a 27-month sentence for causing grievous bodily harm, Brian is still re-building his life.

His short story was used in an Alliance against Violence campaign in 2013 run by the Nottinghamshire Police. Brian's story also featured on BBC news to generate awareness of the dramatic consequences of drinking and unprovoked assaults.

Brian is a true inspiration and while battling with his own obstacles, he has such a positive outlook on life and the people around him.

"For one person, one idiot through punching me through his bad actions. The idea that he could take my parents retirement from them, that breaks my heart you know"

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Brian's story won the Donal Walsh, Live life competition in 2014 dedicated to Donal's memory and to encourage the young generation to spread his positive message.

Eimear O'Grady: Producer/Director