Many believed that Robert's racing career was over, and he was left with sever tendon damage which restricted movement, and a shortened leg from the accident. Afterwards accepting his injuries and resultantly restricting his competition entries from then on to the 125cc class, Robert was determined to return. He chose the Cookstown 100 on 20 April, 1996,
and although still not fully fit, took ninth place in the 125cc race won by brother Joey .
He has not won the Cookstwon 100 since, but has returned every year in the 125cc class: 3rd in 1997,
4th in 1998, 3rd in 2002 and 2nd in 2004.
Subject to severe insurance restrictions and costs due to his continual pain and deteriorating condition of his leg, and even questions in the Northern Ireland Assembly, on 16 December, 2003 Robert announced that he would quit motorcycle racing after the 2004 season.
