Kilkenny figures speak out in documentary on suicide in the Traveller Community

Mary Cody
By Mary Cody

Reporter

Published 27th Nov 2023, 14:33 GMT
Traveller Outreach Workers - Bernie Power, Josie Cash, Helena Power and Samantha Joyceplaceholder image
Traveller Outreach Workers - Bernie Power, Josie Cash, Helena Power and Samantha Joyce

Outreach workers in Kilkenny feature in a ground-breaking documentary shining a light on the the alarmingly high suicide rates among the Irish Traveller community which will be aired on RTE this evening.

Patrick ‘A Young Traveller Lost’ tells the harrowing, deeply personal story of 12 year old Patrick McDonagh from Finglas. 

Suicide rates within the Irish Traveller community have long been a cause for concern, yet the issue often remains unaddressed. 12 year old Patrick lost his life to suicide a year ago. Sensitively following his parents, Michelle and Pat, as they come to terms with their loss, the film explores the wider multifaceted challenges facing the community and highlights the devastating impact on those left behind. placeholder image
Suicide rates within the Irish Traveller community have long been a cause for concern, yet the issue often remains unaddressed. 12 year old Patrick lost his life to suicide a year ago. Sensitively following his parents, Michelle and Pat, as they come to terms with their loss, the film explores the wider multifaceted challenges facing the community and highlights the devastating impact on those left behind. 

Leading Traveller voices from around the country including Senator Eileen Flynn and Director of the Traveller Counselling Service Thomas McCann, contribute to delve into the complexities facing this marginalised and often discriminated against community. 

Through the compelling first-hand account of Bernie Power, a Traveller Outreach worker from Kilkenny, we come to understand the inner turmoil of those from the Traveller community struggling with poor mental health and the real life positive impact of reaching out for help. placeholder image
Through the compelling first-hand account of Bernie Power, a Traveller Outreach worker from Kilkenny, we come to understand the inner turmoil of those from the Traveller community struggling with poor mental health and the real life positive impact of reaching out for help. 

This deeply moving, unprecedented film, created in close collaboration with the Irish Traveller community, provides an opportunity to ignite conversations, dismantle stigmas, and encourage proactive measures to address the underlying factors contributing to this most devastating crisis.

The loss of Patrick’s young life sent shockwaves through the Traveller community, sounding an alarm that we must, collectively, face this issue head on. “Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost” allows the Traveller community the platform through which to do so in their own words. 

Patrick: A Young Traveller Lost was directed and produced by Alan Bradley for Alleycats Films.

Related topics:RTÉDocumentarySuicide
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