Delaney taken off critical list

The All-Ireland winning Kilkenny hurler, P.J. Delaney (26), yesterday was taken off the critical list at Cork University Hospital following a further improvement in his condition which saw him recognise his family and girl friend.

Mr Delaney's mother, Eileen, yesterday told how her son opened his eyes and recognised his family and girlfriend, Ms Sarah King, and how he was able to make slight movements with his legs in the intensive care unit.

"It took him a while but at least when he came to, he recognised me without even hearing my voice.

"He knew all the family then before we left him last night. It's a lift for us, thanks be to God," said Mrs Delaney.

Mrs Delaney, her husband, Pat, and Ms King have been maintaining a vigil by her son's bedside at Cork University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a fractured skull and head injuries following a weekend assault in Thurles.

He was under heavy sedation following the surgery and only began breathing on Thursday without the assistance of a ventilator. Yesterday the Southern Health Board said his condition was stable.

Meanwhile, Insp Bernard O'Neill said that a file would be prepared on the incident, after the release without charge of seven people arrested in north Tipperary early on Thursday in connection with the assault.

The seven, five men and two women aged between 19 and 33, were arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and brought to Thurles, Nenagh and Cahir Garda stations for questioning about the assault on Mr Delaney.