Crisp leaves pepper the paths of the pretty Co Dublin village of Lucan. Along its main street, mild Kildare and rural Dublin brogues mingle as people from the hinterland on both sides of the county line come to shop and buy their Sunday papers. Unlike the bustling Dublin city centre, from which I have just arrived, the place feels relaxed. Here, people make time to stop and talk.
More ducks than I have ever seen in a small space crowd and scuffle in the shallow Griffeen, a stream that trickles between high stone walls below the centre of the village before coursing into Lucan Demesne, where it enters the Liffey. At the heart of the demesne is Lucan House, which is now home to the Italian ambassador, His Excellency Dr Ferdinando Zezza. The village's most famous son is the patriot Patrick Sarsfield, who lived in a cottage on the demesne.
At the gates of the ambassador's residence, Mario Labbrozzi, the amiable head of security, who is regarded as a bit of a character in the village, provides directions to those visiting the grounds. He also engages in friendly conversation with visitors. His teenage son Richard proudly sports the jersey of the azzurri, Italy's soccer team. A garda from nearby Leixlip station chats to people who have arrived for a special occasion.
Serious purpose
Behind the pleasant village atmosphere and the friendly conversation, however, lies a serious purpose, and the sad story of a young Italian student, Guido Nasi, who came to Ireland to improve his English. On July 29th last year, Guido was enjoying the sunshine in Fairview Park on Dublin's northside when he was attacked. What followed was every parent's nightmare. The 17-year-old, who had been a student at the Gioberta High School in Turin and had been staying with a family in Raheny, spent some time in a critical coma in intensive care at Beaumont Hospital. Eventually he came to, but he had suffered a catastrophic head injury which left him paralysed from the neck down.
Guido's distraught mother, Simonetta, rushed from Turin to be at the bedside of her only son. In her haste, she arrived without some necessities. She was overwhelmed when gardai from Clontarf held an impromptu collection for her. Nor could she believe it when flowers, cards, and presents for Guido flooded into the hospital.
Doctors now say Guido will be wheelchair-bound and will require 24-hour care for the rest of his life. Unable to do anything for himself, he relies completely on Simonetta, who is a lone parent. At present, he is receiving specialist physiotherapy at a clinic in Innsbruck, Austria. His mind is alert, but he cannot speak.
A week ago yesterday, the grounds of Lucan Demesne were opened to the public for "A Walk in the Parklands" so that people could show their respects and make a contribution to the fund for Guido. The event was organised by Tourist Victim Support in conjunction with the Italian Embassy and with the backing of the previous and present Lords Mayor, Mary Frehill and Maurice Ahern respectively.
Initial compassion
Victims of violence and those who suffer injury or bereavement often say that, after an initial burst of compassion, people soon forget. In Lucan throughout the afternoon, however, hundreds came to show that they still remember the pain of Guido and Simonetta. The atmosphere was muted and sombre as people perhaps reflected on the reason for their presence. They may also have felt that sense of guilt which affects people in small countries when something bad happens to a visitor.
Guido now communicates only with the help of his mother. Initially, to form words, as Simonetta moved her finger through the letters of the alphabet, he could indicate which one he wanted by moving his thumb. It was in this painfully slow manner that he wrote a letter of thanks to the people of Ireland for their prayers and presents. But now, after lengthy treatment, Guido can actually hold a pen between his thumb and forefinger and write a letter of the alphabet. However, his mother must move his hand to enable him to write the next letter. In this way, he has written to thank the family he stayed with in Raheny. His facial muscles have also made enough of a recovery for him to be able to close his mouth and he is now receiving intensive treatment to his back so that he might be able to sit in an upright position without help.
Members of Tourist Victim Support, who are in regular contact with Simonetta, report that the specialists at Innsbruck hospital are hopeful there may be some chance that Guido may one day be able to move one of his hands. If this miracle should happen, it would, crucially, enable him to communicate unaided using a computer.
Public response
Simonetta is overwhelmed by the messages of support she and Guido have received from workplaces, individuals, families and schools who have responded to the appeal by Victim Support by sending greeting cards and messages of goodwill. She says the incident could have happened anywhere in the world, but what was different was the generosity of public response in Ireland. To lift her in dark days she dreams of Guido being well enough to come back to Dublin to thank all those who have helped.
Meanwhile, as the afternoon comes to an end in Lucan, Mario and Richard are still at the gates saying goodbye to people who have come to call. With them is the tall, elegant figure of Dr Zezza, who has been moved to personally bid farewell to visitors from all walks of life who haven't forgotten his young fellow countryman.
Next Saturday, in aid of the Guido Nasi Appeal, there will be a cake sale and raffle in Our Lady's Hall, Dalkey, Co Dublin, between 10 a.m and noon. On Sunday, a vintage car rally will assemble between 11 a.m and noon at Ardgillan House, Skerries, Co Dublin. For further information, contact Damian Duggan of the Mercedes-Benz Club at telephone/fax 8555564. Donations can be made at any AIB branch to account no 84168181, sort code 93-12-25.