A Galway city woman whose husband was rendered psychologically child-like as a result of an unusual illness has given birth to their second baby.
Ms Annemarie O'Brien was determined her four-year-old daughter, Rachel, would not be an only child despite the fact her husband, Martin, contracted viral encephalitis three years ago.
Doctors cannot explain how Mr O'Brien fell victim to the virus, which left him seriously brain-damaged.
But Ms O'Brien wanted to get pregnant once Mr O'Brien (34), returned from a specialist hospital in Northampton, England, to the family home in Laurel Park.
Her wish was fulfilled when the child, Benjamin, was born at University College Hospital Galway last week.
Ms O'Brien has the support of a full-time carer in looking after her daughter and husband.
Her husband was as excited as Rachel about the birth of his son, but, because of his mental disability, he will be more of a brother than a father to the child.
"I am happiest when Martin and Rachel are around me and I know that we are a family no matter what - it will be even better now with the new baby," said Ms O'Brien yesterday.