WARNING: SENSITIVE IMAGES BELOW Jack Byrne, 32, remains in hospital three months on after not thinking much of the wound from an incident in the city centre.
Jack Byrne moved to Glasgow five years ago
(Image: Glasgow Live)
A man has been stuck in hospital for months after he developed a rare ‘flesh-eating’ bacterial infection upon being ‘stabbed in the head with a key’ in Glasgow city centre.
On July 12, Jack Byrne, who is originally from Birkenhead, had been on Glasgow’s Hope Street at around 9.10pm when an alleged dispute led to him being ‘stabbed’ in the head with a key.
The 32-year-old hadn’t thought much of the wound until a few days later when he started to lose his balance and his face began to swell up.
“I didn’t think too much of it at the time,” Jack told Glasgow Live. “A few days went by and I was being sick. I couldn’t see anything.
“An ambulance was called. I don’t remember much after that.”
Jack has undergone multiple surgeries to keep him alive.
(Image: Glasgow Live)
Jack was placed in a coma for weeks while doctors battled to contain necrotising fasciitis, also known as the “flesh-eating disease”, which had infected his face. The rare, life-threatening and fast-spreading infection releases toxins that cause human tissue to die.
“It’s a one in a million disease. Jack continued. “I thought it was a small wound. I never anticipated what would come next. You don’t think something like this will happen to you.”
Jack has since undergone multiple surgeries to keep him alive. While surgeons were able to save his eyes, he has been left with only 20 percent vision in one.
His last major surgery saw him go under the knife for more than 13 hours, with surgeons taking muscle from his back and stitching it to his face. He says he has been left covered in scars from repeated skin grafts – not all of which have been successful.
Over the past few months, he has had to relearn how to walk, eat, and talk. And Jack still has more surgeries ahead.
Jack, who moved to Glasgow during the covid lockdown to study at university, added: “Physically, it’s left scars everywhere and pain. Mentally, I’m getting PTSD attacks.
“I’m just trying to medicate it all and get on with life. At some point, I’ve got to move on. I’ve got no idea when I’ll get out. It’s three months on, and I’m still trying to get by.”
Doctors have been unable to give Jack a date of discharge. However, friends have set up a fundraiser in preparation for the day.
Jack is in hospital.
(Image: Glasgow Live)
Speaking about getting out, he added: “I try and make jokes about it, but my life is changed forever. I’ll never frown again, or have eyebrows, and I can hardly smile. I’ve accepted it at this point. You’ve got to.”
The fundraiser for Jack reads: “I’m raising funds for my friend Jack. His world completely fell apart not long ago — first losing his home, and then being stabbed in the side of the head. What followed was something no one could see coming.
“When he’s finally discharged, he’ll basically be starting over — with nowhere to go and nothing left. This page is to help him get back on his feet, cover the cost of a tenancy, and get the basic things he’ll need to start again — plus any aids or equipment for his recovery.”
Anyone wishing to donate can do so on https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/marjory-tierney?utm_medium=CR&utm_source=CL.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.10pm on 12 July 2025, police received a report a man had been injured in Hope Street, Glasgow. Emergency services attended and a man was treated at the scene by ambulance staff.
“Following enquiries, a 24-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with the incident on 1 August, 2025. He was due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, 4 August, 2025.”
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