Paralysed tourist 'happy to be back'

AN ITALIAN man who was left paralysed after an attack in Dublin city 10 years ago has praised victim support services and its volunteers for their support.

Guido Nasi was on an English language study tour when he was hit over the head with a bottle in Dublin’s Fairview Park in July 1999, after Mr Nasi, now 27, had chased a youth he believed had stolen his wallet.

The attack, during which Mr Nasi sustained a damaged sub-arterial vein, left him paralysed and with only partial sight in his right eye. He was 17 at the time.

Despite the experience, Mr Nasi, who attended the 15th anniversary of the Irish Tourist Assistance Service yesterday, said he was happy to be back in Ireland, which he considers coming home, saying he was “near the stars”.

In a letter read out by victim support volunteer Bernadette Kelly di Giorgio, who has worked with Mr Nasi since he was injured, the Italian man described his life as “suddenly interrupted at 17 years” and praised the organisation that provided him with support and Ms Kelly di Giorgio in particular.

“It is thanks to your economic support and solidarity that I was able to survive these last 10 years. My mother, not knowing the language, would have been so lonely that she could not have survived,” he wrote.

“Despite my tragedy, I still have wonderful memories of the friends I met in Dublin. As soon as I landed in Ireland 10 years ago, I felt full of life. I immediately felt at home and for the first time in my life I felt free to enjoy my youth.”

Mr Nasi said the letter was written by two hands – his own and that of his mother, Simonetta, on whom he is dependent.

Ms Kelly di Giorgio said his condition has improved considerably. Although he cannot talk, he can communicate through a computer, and can use text messaging on his mobile phone. He would love to spend more time in Ireland, she said, but for medical reasons would need to return home this afternoon.He managed to fit in a trip to the Guinness brewery after landing in Dublin on Tuesday.

Yesterday, Mr Nasi described the support given by Ms Kelly di Giorgio and the Irish Tourist Assistance Service, formerly known as Victim Support, as “invaluable”. “Every time something terrible happens, especially to a tourist, my mother reminds me of how much help she received at the time of the tragedy,” he said.

The service’s annual report revealed that the number of tourists asking for assistance following a crime rose in 2008. During last year, the number of cases reported to the service rose from 315 to 380, with the majority of those seeking assistance being victims of robberies.

Dublin city centre was the common location for crimes, with cash and credit cards the most common items stolen.