Brian Cowen's family say former taoiseach has 'long road ahead' after suffering bleed on the brain

Former taoiseach Brian Cowen's family have said the seriously ill ex-politician has a "long road ahead" after confirming he is slowly recovering from a bleed on the brain earlier this month.

Mr Cowen's brother, Barry Cowen, outlined the former taoiseach's prognosis on Monday in the family's first public comments since Mr Cowen fell ill on July 4.