Seán Cox, the Liverpool FC fan who suffered life-altering injuries in an attack at a 2018 Champions League match, is learning to walk with the help of an exoskeleton.
The father of three from Dunboyne in Meath was attacked by Roma supporters outside Anfield, suffering severe brain injuries.
Mr Cox and his family spoke to Prime Time ahead of the fifth anniversary of the unprovoked attack.
He recently began working with a team of specialists in Dublin City University, to assist him with his recovery.
Seán's wife Martina spoke to Miriam O’Callaghan about seeing him use the exoskeleton for the first time.
"[It was] very emotional, really, really emotional to see him," she said.
"He just stood up and walked towards me. Even the look on his own face, it was so good. We don't know what is going to come out of this, but psychologically it's really good for him."
Mr Cox has also been receiving extensive speech therapy, as his ability to talk remains limited.
Martina says she prefers to focus on Seán’s rehabilitation rather than think of the attack.
"I don't dwell on it, to be honest life is too busy and life is too short as well. We are just trying to move on, get the most out of life. Seán is still a relatively young man. We are starting to go out a little bit more, we've gone on holidays. We just want to do more of those things."
"In sickness and in health, those words, they are so powerful. There was never a second thought I was going to do anything else but look after him."
"You think your life is carved out for you but then it just goes to show you really can't plan because this happened and then everything changed. But I'm still happy and Seán is happy."
"We still love each other and I think that's what makes all this work."
The HSE funds a care package for the family to assist with Seán’s needs. In recent months, Martina has become concerned that staff turnover in the care sector is affecting the consistency of service provided to Seán and others like him.
"Home care is particularly tricky at the minute, it hasn't been consistent," she said.
She believes this is because the pay rates in the sector are not sufficiently attractive.
"The demand is really high, but the supply of carers is just not there because I think what they are being paid is too low."
"I think the government need to definitely look at investing more money into this area."
Three Roma fans were jailed for the attack on Mr Cox.
