‘Resilient’ Charles Dooher shows strong signs of recovery

By Róise Collins

A LIFFORD man, who was left fighting for his life after a brutal attack in his home, is showing significant signs of recovery.

Charles Dooher, 26, sustained catastrophic injuries following the attack by five heavily armed and masked men on January 20.

Mr Dooher was airlifted to Belfast Victoria Hospital in the wake of the violent assault, where he was treated for his serious injuries.

Now, just over six weeks after the attack, his partner, Charlotte Gallen, has revealed that Mr. Dooher is making significant progress in his recovery.

“Charlie is a force to be reckoned with, he is strong, brave and resilient and I will pay homage to him for the rest of my life,” she said.

“I remember us being told on the 21st of January he wasn’t going to make it.”

“For the first two weeks of Charlie being in a coma I don’t remember much other than feeling sick, numb and alone even when surrounded by armies of people standing in solidarity with him.”

Ms Gallen recalled the time she spent at her partner’s side as he recovered from the traumatic brain injury, which left his skull shattered.

“I remember watching his figures minute by minute waiting for the swelling in his brain to go down and becoming so fixated on the numbers on a screen.

“I remember praying into his ear whilst he lay lifeless and begging him to wake up,” Ms Gallen said in a moving post on social media.

“I wrote him letters and a Valentine’s Day card knowing he may never read them, I spoke to him and played him his favourite music in the hopes he could hear.”

“It’s been nearly seven weeks since the event and Charlie has shown us the strong force of energy that he has within him. He has fire and determination within him that no man or woman would be able to put out.”

“To feel you hold my hand instead of me just holding yours, to hear your voice, and to be able to walk beside you is a feeling I will always treasure.

“I’m so proud of the man you were, the man you are now and the man you will be.

“I’m glad we can close that chapter in our story and I will be by your side for the next,” Ms Gallen concluded.

Mr Dooher’s father, Charles senior, aged in his 60s, was also injured during the attack. He was brought by ambulance to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment of less-serious injuries.

As Gardaí continue to investigate the attempted murder they have renewed their appeal for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.

They are particularly anxious to speak to any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) of a silver/grey Peugeot 3008 (2009-2013 model) in the Coneyburrow Road area of Lifford between 10am and 11am on Monday, January 20.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

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