The Jonesborough woman who was left fighting for her life after being shot by her former partner at their Omeath home two months ago has reportedly regained consciousness, her relieved family have revealed.
Mother-of-two, Siobhan Phillips (21), had planned to leave her physically abusive partner, Adrian Crevan Mackin, and had returned to their Mullach Alainn home in the village of Omeath on the evening of October 11th to collect her belongings. Mackin lay in wait however and opened fire on Siobhan and Garda Tony Golden, who had accompanied her to the house, before turning the gun on himself. Garda Golden was killed in the horrific attack, which sent shockwaves throughout the country, while the young mother was shot in the head, sustaining life-threatening injuries.
After weeks of intensive care in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Ms Phillip’s family have revealed that she has regained consciousness although admits she faces a “long road ahead” in her recovery.
Garda Golden was killed in the horrific attack which sent shockwaves throughout the country, while the young mother of two sustained life threatening injuries.
After weeks of intensive care in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, her family have revealed that she has regained consciousness but admit she faces a “long road ahead” in her recovery.
The young mum underwent surgery to remove a bullet that had lodged in her head after Mackin shot her. It is understood the bullet ricocheted off her skull and, as a result of this injury, tragically she has lost her right eye. Siobhan has also had pins inserted into both arms to repair gunshot and shrapnel wounds.
Her family say it is “a miracle” that she survived her injuries and have thanked the many people who have supported them throughout their ordeal. Paying tribute to those who have helped and to the family of Garda Golden, Siobhan’s mother Bronagh said,
“I would like to thank the parish priests and the curates in Omeath and Carlingford Parish as well as Bishop Eamon Martin. The Bishop went to visit Siobhan in hospital and he said Mass for her two weeks ago.”
“We would love to see her out of hospital in time for Christmas. She is loved by all her family and we are looking towards the future now.”
“We think about the family of Garda Golden every day. His family have been in contact and his brother came to see Siobhan in hospital; that meant so much to us,” her mum added.
Her aunt Lorraine confirmed that Siobhan has begun to speak but said the full extent of her brain injury is not yet known.
She revealed that Siobhan is unaware what has happened to her, with doctors telling her she has been involved in an accident. The family believe she has no memory of the events at all and is not asking questions.
“She is smiling and knows everything you are saying but she is not asking any questions. She does know everybody that comes into her,” she said.
Lorraine also thanked the people of Omeath, who she said “have been outstandingly good to us.”
“We have had messages from people we don’t even know and letters have been written to Siobhan from people we never heard of.”
“It has been amazing, we have been overwhelmed by the support from the public for Siobhan.”
The 21 year old had two young children with Macken and was training to be a hair-dresser in Newry.
She had been with Mackin for 5 years but, Lorraine says, the violence had begun after he was released on bail last January, after being charged before the Special Criminal Court. She added that having suffered a prolonged and brutal beating by Mackin two days before the shooting, she had made up her mind to leave him and had made a statement to Gardai about the violence.
“The only person who knows what happened in the house is Siobhan,” she added.
“The doctors said her memory might come back and then again it might not.”