Concussion and rugby: When Benjamin died, we lost part of ourselves

"I just knew in my heart of hearts that the wee boy I had — we had — made so many promises to, that nobody will hurt you, we’ll protect you; I wasn’t going to get to keep those promises."

The heartbreaking words of Karen Robinson about the tragic death of her son, Benjamin, who was just 14 when he died after a schools rugby match on January 29, 2011, in an incident which has thrown increased focus on the perils of concussion at all levels in the sport.

Speaking alongside Benjamin’s father, Peter, on yesterday’s Today with Sean O’Rourke programme on RTÉ, Karen’s pain at losing a child was all too apparent; the circumstances still the source of much anguish and grief.