A punch thrown by a “big powerful rugby player” had such force that the brain of his victim bounced from side to side inside the skull and only surgery at University Hospital Cork saved his life, a court heard.

A brain injury sustained by a former League of Ireland footballer when he fell from a speeding train 30 years ago was a contributory factor in his recent death, an inquest has heard.

A 22-year-old man who suffered a brain injury as a child when the car he was in was involved in a collision has settled his High Court action for €5m.

A huge fundraising concert is being planned to help a skilled horseman recover from a devastating spinal injury.

A young woman with a rare and progressive disease who was refused funding to travel abroad for treatment not available here has launched a public appeal calling on the Government and the HSE to relent.

You can’t just stop straightaway, that’d be very bad for you.

Saturday’s first ever “viking marathon” in Waterford was a proud day for all who completed the course, but for entrant number 35 crossing the line meant the end of an epic journey.

THE mother of a six-year-old boy battling leukaemia told how he suffered a life-threatening stroke during his chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

The High Court has approved an award of €1.28m to a Co Waterford teenager who lost his leg in a farming accident.

ALAN QUINN sat in his wheelchair looking at the faces of hundreds of tomorrow’s young drivers and told them he’s paying the price for speeding.

MOTHER, sister, uncle, daughter, brother, father — signs representing the 279 people who died in traffic accidents last year were carried through a west Cork town in a silent march yesterday by hundreds of black-clad convent schoolgirls.

A FUNERAL-style silent march of nearly 300 convent schoolgirls all dressed in black will take place in west Cork next week.

THE 35-year-old victim of a shooting in Cork city may have to be transferred to the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dún Laoghaire amid concerns about a bullet that is lodged close to his spine.

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has said the State will do everything possible to help a paralysed mother forced to travel abroad for treatment.

THE father of a paralysed mum forced to travel abroad for rehabilitation pleaded with health bosses last night to fund her treatment.

HSE-bashing and criticism of our health services seem to have become a national pastime.

A middle-aged man was charged today with assault causing serious harm to former Republic of Ireland soccer international, Miah Dennehy, last summer.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been called on to make a real commitment to Cork when he visits the county today.

CUTBACKS in health spending have resulted in older people being discriminated against, because they are the “easiest” group to deny services to, according to Age Action Ireland.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) today insisted patient care improved last year even though it admitted failing to spend nearly a fifth of its €555m budget.

A CAMPAIGN to introduce a graphic driver safety programme in the nation’s schools will be launched in Cork next week.

A jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has acquitted a second Dublin student who was accused of an assault which has resulted in the victim being confined to a wheelchair.

A YOUNG man who suffered serious head injured when his friend’s €200 uninsured car crashed, yesterday won a compensation award of €2.5 million.

A teenager today received €2.5m compensation for serious injuries he received in a road accident almost six years ago.