'Prayers are working’: Sedation gradually reduced for Scarlett Faulkner as doctors assess brain function

Family of young mother critically injured in Tipperary assault say reduced sedation marks hopeful step in recovery process

The young mother, 29, remains in intensive care.

Scarlett Faulkner’s doctors have begun to reduce her sedation to assess her brain function, as her family encourages the public to continue sending prayers.

The 29-year-old mother from Longpavement remains in intensive care in Cork University Hospital (CUH) after she was brutally assaulted in Birdhill, Co Tipperary, on March 21.

The vehicle Scarlett was travelling in was rammed off the road before she was dragged from it and attacked by individuals with weapons.

In an update shared on social media, Josephine (Joanne) Duffy, the partner of Scarlett’s brother Thomas, said doctors are gradually reducing sedation.

“They’ll do that daily for the next seven to 10 days, and then they will know the result and hopefully Scarlett will wake up, is what they’re trying to do, and stop the brain from swelling,” Ms Duffy explained.

 ”They will lower it slowly, so they just slow it back and it will take a while, and then they'll try to wake Scarlett up.

“I think it’s actually good news because the brain isn't swelling. So obviously everyone is praying for her all over the place, and I really think that the prayers are working,” she added.

Ms Duffy previously said doctors told the family they had never seen a “brain injury so bad”.

In a previous update, Victoria Faulkner — Scarlett’s sister — said her six-year-old daughter has been asking about her condition every day.

“I don't know what to say to the child because it's just too hurtful to explain. It's her mommy at the end of the day, She's only six-years-of-age.

"She needs her mommy. Every child needs their mother," Victoria said.

Ms Faulkner suffered critical head injuries in the attack, which occurred at a roadside location outside Birdhill village at around 5.30pm on March 21. She is the mother of a six-year-old daughter.

Earlier this week, family and friends held a vigil to pray for Ms Faulkner.

Video footage of the attack was widely shared on social media, and gardaí have appealed to people not to share the footage.

The family also appealed to the public not to post any pictures or footage after a picture of Scarlett in hospital circulated online.

They said these were “distressing for the family to see”.

A 16-year-old girl and a woman were arrested and later appeared before Tipperary District Court in Thurles via video link on Wednesday, charged in connection with the serious assault.