Christmas joy as Mayo mother plans April homecoming after Australia ordeal

A MAYO mother involved in a tragic incident in Australia earlier this year has expressed her eternal gratitude for the friendship and financial support worldwide she has received following her ordeal.

In a pre-Christmas interview with The Connaught Telegraph, Eileen Gibbons, a native of Castlebar, has also issued advice for victims of domestic violence.

She said: “I would like to thank everybody for their prayers, good wishes and for all the financial support received through GoFundMe and other fundraising events at home," she said. “Also, I want to thank my very good friends here in Australia and the local people for all their support.”

Eileen (38), a social care worker, was released from Royal Darwin Hospital on December 8. She is still recuperating in Darwin but her family hopes she will be well enough to return home to Ireland with Silvia, her 13-month-old daughter, in April.

Over €100,000 was raised through a GoFundMe appeal and local efforts in Ireland and Australia for Eileen’s medical care and rehabilitation.

Says Eileen: “I am grateful for all the love shown to me and Silvia both at home in Ireland and in Australia and around the world. Countless people, many of them total strangers, contributed and sent messages."

Echoing Eileen’s gratitude, her mother Ann, who has travelled to Darwin to support her daughter, stated: “The lovely messages, phone calls, prayers, candles and financial support we have received have lifted us up and carried us along on a river of goodwill.”

Eileen advises those experiencing domestic or sexual abuse, or feeling threatened by a current or ex-partner, to contact An Garda Síochána to inform them of their situation.

“If you are in danger you should call 999. I’m told a garda in uniform will arrive in a marked patrol car. If you are not in immediate danger you can visit your local garda station.”

Eileen has been 11 years in Australia. She went there in February 2012 having studied social science in Limerick.

Rehabilitation, although slow, is going well and she hopes to return to Ireland with Silvia and mum Ann in April.