‘They say time is a great healer but time is not a great healer in this case’
By Mary Dennehy
THIS week Robert Delany was brought home to his parents’ home in Castle Lawns for a family mass on the 10th anniversary of his attack, which has left the young father-of-two lying in a permanent vegetative state.
On October 22, 2008, Robert was shot at his home in Russell Rise – while his partner and two young daughters were sleeping.
Robert Delany (left) and postal staff at An Post's Tallaght delivery office (right) joined hands this week in solidarity with the Delany family
Robert, who was 27 at the time, was looking out of an upstairs window in response to an early morning knock at the door when he was shot in the face.
The young father, who worked as a postman, survived the shooting but sustained catastrophic brain injuries, which has left him in a permanent vegetative state.
Speaking to The Echo from Robert’s bedside in Peamount Hospital this week, his father Terry said: “The past ten years have been extremely difficult.
“We have never come to terms with it.
“They say time is a great healer but time is not a great healer in this case.
“Here we are ten years on and time hasn’t healed, things have gotten worse.
“Worse in terms of us realising more and more that Robert is not coming back.”
He added: “Robert is in what they call a living death.
“He will never recover.”
A mass was this week held by local priest Father Ben Moran in the Delany family home in Castle Lawns and was attended by a small number of family, friends and neighbours.
Robert who is visited every day by his family was brought home for the mass.
Very emotional having him here
“We bring Robert home once a month and for special occasions like Christmas,” Terry said.
“It can be very emotional having him here…he’s here but he’s not here.
“He’s here physically but it’s not the Robert of old who would have the music on and be having the craic.
“However, we want to keep the connection between Robert and his home.”
This week, the Delany family made an emotional plea for information on RTE’s Crimecall, during which they asked anyone with information to come forward.
Robert’s sister Sinead, dad Terry and daughter Megan on RTE’s Crimecall (pic: RTE)
Robert’s seventeen-year-old daughter Megan bravely spoke on the segment and said: “It’s not fair that we have to live our lives like this and whoever did it can live their life perfectly.”
Speaking with The Echo, Terry reiterated his granddaughter’s words and encouraged anybody with information to come forward – and help the family get justice for Robert.
“We’d ask anybody with information to please come forward,” Terry said.
“And, we’d like to remind the people responsible that we are not giving up on our campaign for justice for Robert.”
Speaking with The Echo, Tallaght Superintendent Ian Lackey, who described Robert as an innocent victim, said: “We are satisfied that there are people out there that know those involved or involved in the planning of this.”
Supt Lackey has appealed to anyone who, with the passing of time, may be in a position to come forward now.
Anybody with information is encouraged to contact Tallaght Garda Station on 6666000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
For further details visit the family’s campaign website, www.innocentvictimsofviolence.ie
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