'I love you with all my heart': Tributes paid to Limerick assault victim Scarlett Faulkner

The 29-year-old had been on life support at Cork University Hospital since last month

The late Scarlett Faulkner.

The family of Scarlett Faulkner have paid tribute to the young Limerick mother, who died on Monday after her life support was switched off.

The 29-year-old had been on life support at Cork University Hospital (CUH) after being critically injured in an assault at the side of the R494 road in Birdhill, Co Tipperary, on Saturday, March 21.

Her life support was switched off at 4pm on Sunday, but her family said she had stayed breathing overnight on her own as they kept a vigil by her bedside and they had continued to ask for prayers.

Her sister, Victoria, said she will cherish their memories forever.

“I promise you sister I’ll bring Oceanna to see you every day. I’ll do everything for her just like you’d want. I love you with all my heart and soul. I can’t explain the way I feel right now knowing I’ll never see you walk in the door to me and sit down and smoke a fag. 

"I miss you every minute of the day you will always be my Best friend and Big sister. My heart inside me is broken in 1 million pieces. How will I ever say goodbye to you,” she wrote.

Ms Faulkner's brother, Martin Anthony, also paid tribute on social media: “RIP my lovely sister Scarlett.”

A post shared by a support page for the young Limerick mother, with 26,000 followers, noted that the family has asked for privacy at this time.

“At this deeply distressing time, the family are gently trying to process their overwhelming grief and loss. They kindly ask for privacy as they come to terms with saying goodbye to their precious beautiful girl,” reads the post.

"The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to everyone who has kept Scarlett in their prayers, sent loving messages, and offered support over the past few weeks.

“Your kindness has meant more to them than words can say. They ask that we all continue to pray for Scarlett - that her gentle soul is received into the loving arms of God and granted eternal peace and a soft bed in Heaven," they wrote.

A woman aged in her 40s and a teenage girl have been charged in connection with the assault. 

Video footage of the attack was widely shared on social media, and An Garda Síochána has continued to appeal to people not to share it.