A woman who said she defied doctors by refusing to have her fiance's life-support machine turned off, yesterday married the man she had battled to keep alive.
Sharon McCann (36) and Brian Bellew (50) were married at Dundalk registry office on a day that was described as emotional but happy, with 400 guests at the reception.
Mr Bellew, who relatives say was pronounced clinically dead in 2003 with brain damage, was yesterday able to stand up at the reception in Kells and thank his wife for everything she had done for him.
Ms McCann had been engaged to Mr Bellew for five years when she walked home early on Christmas morning 2003 after doing night work.
She found Mr Bellew lying in the street after being seriously assaulted. Her family said he was taken to hospital with serious brain damage and was pronounced clinically dead at 4pm.According to relatives, doctors feared that they might have to turn off his life-support but Ms McCann refused to let them.
He remained in a coma for six weeks. When he came around no other hospital would take him as they said nothing could be done and there was talk of a nursing home. Ms McCann said she would take him home. Mr Bellew could not walk, could not see and had to be spoon-fed.
Her mother, Marie McCann, said that her daughter nursed him and took a year off work which was extended. Mr Bellew could not work and would never be able to drive but he was now 80 per cent back to normal.
When he goes to hospital for checks "they call him the miracle man", she said.