Brian Cowen gives rare health update after suffering near-fatal stroke – reveals sweet goal helping him through recovery
FORMER taoiseach Brian Cowen has told of spending close to a year in hospital after suffering from a near-fatal stroke.
And the 63-year-old Co Offaly man said his plan to walk his daughter down the aisle is helping him recover.
Mr Cowen, who led the country for three years from 2008, told Will Faulkner on Midlands 103FM he had every intention to “discharge my duties”.
He spent three months in St Vincent’s in Dublin after the health scare almost four years ago.
Cowen then spent nine more months in the stroke unit at the Royal Hospital in Donnybrook.
The ex-Fianna Fail leader said he had successfully battled back to recover his speech and could remember words.
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He said he uses a crutch and remains physically “slower” than he was before.
Mr Cowen said: “I’m able to walk about, even if a little slowly. I’m not 100 percent but we’re getting there.”
When news of Mr Cowen's illness first broke in July 2019, dozens of trolls targeted him online.
Politicians of various parties condemned the comments while many have wished Cowen a speedy recovery.
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TD for Kildare South Fiona O'Loughlin said at the time: "Twitter at times can be a nasty place, but tonight I’ve seen a whole new level that is beneath contempt.
"Brian Cowen is seriously ill, news of his demise is wrong. Respect please, for a gravely ill man and his family at a very difficult time."
Sinn Fein Senator Paul Gavan added: "Horrified to hear this is happening. I wish Brian and his family well."
Mr Cowen has enjoyed a quiet life out of the public eye since he resigned from office in February 2011.
RARE APPEARANCE
Yesterday, he made a rare public appearance at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, where he was honoured for his long-standing support of Comhaltas.
The ex-Taoiseach was a divisive figure in politics having served in several Government cabinets under Albert Reynolds and Bertie Ahern.
The Offaly man took up the top office after Ahern resigned in 2008 and led the country during the banking crisis that plummeted Ireland into recession.
Cowen’s leadership was dealt a crippling blow in 2010 was he was forced to request a bailout from the European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
In 2015 at the Banking Inquiry he apologised for “hardship and distress” caused by the Irish financial crisis.
In a combative appearance, he gave a robust defence of his performance as Finance Minister while adding that “no government in the democratic world” was budgeting for the possibility of the biggest financial crisis since the 1920s.