Irish family injured in Australia return home

An Irish family seriously injured in a traffic collision which resulted in the death of a friend in Australia earlier this year are home again and continuing their recovery.

Wed, 13 May, 2015 - 01:00

Donal Hickey

Gerard and Marguerite Brosnan, both in their 50s, and their daughters, Karen and Claire, returned to their home at Port Rd, Killarney, Co Kerry, at the weekend.

The crash happened on January 4 while the couple were visiting Karen and Claire in Perth for the festive period. It resulted in the death of Marty Roberts, 56, the driver of the station wagon in which they were travelling.

There were joyous scenes in Killarney when Gerard, Marguerite, and Karen Brosnan arrived home from Perth after spending five months recovering from a serious car crash.

A 20-year-old man who was driving the other vehicle has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drink driving. Claire was the only member of the family to escape injury and she is returning to Australia today. Her parents and sister are starting rehabilitation this week.

“We’re feeling good and it’s just massive to be home,” said Ger. “We’re just completely bowled over by all the help and support we’ve been receiving from the hospitals and Irish emigrants in Australia, the people of Killarney and our families, of course.”

After the crash, Ger, who sustained head and spinal injuries, spent several days in intensive care and was in an induced coma. He was in hospital for eight weeks.

Marguerite suffered multiple bone fractures and was in hospital for 14 weeks, while Karen had facial and spinal injuries and was hospitalised for a week.

Karen plans to return to Australia, in July. Ger said the help the family is continuing to receive is boosting their recovery.

“There are no words to thank people who have been simply wonderful to us,” he said. “So many people, mainly Irish emigrants, came into the hospital regularly and couldn’t do enough for us. We can’t thank them all enough.

“We’re now looking forward to getting our lives together again and to settling back in at home.’’