'I never thought I would ever feel like myself again' Charleen Murphy marks one year since attack
Charleen Murphy has shared an emotional post marking one year since she was attacked in Dublin.
The influencer sustained a substantial injury when she was attacked while having dinner in a lounge in Grafton Capital Hotel. Nine months later her attacker, Craig O’Brien, 28, was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
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On Saturday, Charleen shared a video that documented the past 12 months. It began with a number of emotional clips of her crying before showing her regaining her spark for life to the inspiring tune of Birdy’s Keeping Your Head Up.
Charleen wrote: ‘Today marks a year since I was attacked. A year of healing, feeling anxiety, confusion, anger and every emotion you go through. I wish I could go back and tell myself that even though you feel lonely in your feelings, you are never alone.’
‘My heart breaks for the girl in the first clips, I genuinely never thought I would ever feel like myself again but I wish I could tell myself that there will be days where it doesn’t cross your mind every hour and that day by day you get stronger even when you feel weak.’
Charleen Murphy and her boyfriend Dano Mandroiu. Pic: Charleen Murphy / Instagram
She continued: ‘I’m so grateful for the amazing community of you I have on here that have been so supportive of me. Along of course with my friends, family and [my boyfriend] Dano [Mandroiu]. I love yous all so much.
‘I’m so proud of myself for pushing myself through the uncomfortable times but also slowing down and letting myself feel and for anyone going through a tough time, even though there are of course still bad days, I promise you have got this, even when you think you don’t & you WILL get your spark back.’
Pic: Charleen Murphy / Instagram
The influencer’s best friend and Hold My Drink podcast co-host Ellie Kelly commented: ‘You truly are the strongest most amazing girl I have ever met. Proud of you every single day xxx,’ while Irish makeup artist Keilidh Cashell penned: ‘The most amazing person inside and out.’
Charleen shared the news of her attack on Instagram last February, telling her followers she was heartbroken following the incident. She said: ‘I want to start this post by saying thank you for the amount of love and support I’ve been receiving the last few days. I’m so thankful for all my followers and grateful for this community.’
Charleen Murphy at the launch of the KASH Beauty x Charleen collection at The Flying Duck Restaurant at Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin. Pic: Brian McEvoy
‘Unfortunately, there remains a very dark side to social media that I have become a victim of in a way I could never have imagined,’ Charleen continued at the time.
‘I’m sure a lot of you have seen the news that I was the victim of a very serious and violent attack on Friday night. As a result of this attack I was taken to hospital and received stitches to a glass wound to my head.
Charleen Murphy at the opening of Krewe South, a New Orleans-inspired bar and eatery in Charlemont Square, Dublin. Pic: Brian McEvoy
‘It hurts my heart that I have to be strong and heal from this situation that should never have happened.’
Charleen went on to say that the attack on her only shows that there is an epidemic of violence against women, while lamenting that there is no safe space.
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