Thread by @tim_brannigan

People don’t notice this but in my memoir, my brothers are never mentioned much. Where they are it’s usually an incidental detail or they were crucial to a story but you will not find a description of what they look like, their personalities or my relationship with them all.

Now, to be clear, despite the awful catalogue of terrible behaviour towards me, I forgive them and love them still. The fact that they aren’t in the story is *because* I respected and loved them. So, what I did before the book was written was arrange for us all to meet in a

Bar in town to create a relaxed atmosphere and I told them I planned to write a book. I made it clear that the story would not be a family history but would instead be about my relationship with our mum. I told them I wanted us to chat about her as I was looking for anecdotes. I

knew had loads of material but was keen on any stories that happened when I wasn’t in the room. Stories that would show her true personality. We chatted for a few hours and had a great time reminiscing. At the end though, my notebook had about two points in it. It was a great

Night. I also asked them if they wanted to be in the story or not. They all said *no* for various reasons. As I was writing, I showed them sample chapters. I also gave them proof copies and told them to run a pen through anything they didn’t like. They were all happy and had no

Complaints. In fact, they all loved it and raved about it. All except one brother who while he liked it, was a bit circumspect in his praise. They all attended reading events and the two main book launches I held. That’s why they don’t appear. After consultation they all

Said they were happy. In 2017 one brother in particular started trashing the book. (I’ll come back to this another time.) Because they are spreading rumours and lies I have no option but to clear my name. I warned them many, many times to apologise but they

Won’t and now, for me at least, time has run out. I have had a lot of advice from many people including professionals such as my counsellors and legal people, when they lift their jaws off the floor, they agree that my current situation is untenable. This is preamble. more soon.

I was living under tremendous strain in 2017 to now. In 2018 I was really struggling. I couldn’t find work and was in shock about the fallout from my brothers actions. Over a period of maybe six months I started to feel very ill. Slowly at first and then increasing seriousness.

And gravy chips, curry chips and frozen chips with bread. Biscuits and chocolate also featured. Just after my birthday in May, I collapsed in my home. When I got to hospital they were shocked by my state. The test results didn’t make any sense to them.

they said that I needed a blood transfusion and that they were treating me for malnutrition. My body has changed. My diet has changed (eating healthier now). Foods I loved make me sick and I now eat fish etc for the first time.

But I should not have had to live as I did. After Chris died in 2017 the family home was to be sold. My brothers, particularly the younger one, actively and vindictively withheld my share of the sale of the family home. I had to return to my lawyers and start to take them to

Court. It took two years before they finally relented and paid me my share. Finally for now, during the whole process I received a letter from my younger brother’s solicitor. In it was the following line

The word ‘issue’. My brother telling me that I’m not a Brannigan and that I don’t deserve my share of mum’s will. It was sent by my younger brother in it he claimed my other brothers are in agreement with his view. I don’t know whether they were consulted by him on this move.