'Powerful and heartbreaking:' Ireland reacts to story of young Traveller Patrick McDonagh
President Michael D Higgins called for RTÉ documentary on 12-year-old Patrick McDonagh who died by suicide to be shown in schools and watched by all.
Households across the country were moved by the heartbreaking story of young Irish Traveller Patrick McDonagh on Monday night, with President Michael D Higgins calling for the powerful documentary to be shown in every school.
RTÉ’s shines a light on the issue of high suicide rates among the Irish Traveller community through the story of 12-year-old Patrick who died by suicide one year ago.
It follows Patrick’s parents Michelle and Pat as they come to terms with their loss while also looking at the wider challenges facing the community.
According to the All Ireland Traveller Health Study, more than one in 10 Irish Travellers die by suicide. The suicide rate for Irish Traveller men is seven times higher than settled men.
Through the documentary, Patrick’s parents hope to inspire people to speak up and ask for help when they need it.
Reflecting on the bullying his son experienced, Pat McDonagh said: "He never told us deep down inside, the mental torture. God knows what he was going through.”
Sitting in Patrick’s bedroom, his mother Michelle spoke of her heartbreak. “I feel very heartbroken when I'm looking at all this stuff,” she said.
“Suicide is the most hurtful thing to me as a mother. To lose a child. I feel like I have no answers. You know, why would he feel so hurt? That he thought he wouldn’t be happy in life you know? Why? I don't get it.”
President Michael D Higgins has called for the documentary to be shown in every school, stating that it should be seen by every household in Ireland.
"It would be so valuable if all members of the public could see this film, which describes a life lost to bullying. An incredibly talented boy, interested in all aspects of life and full of curiosity, within one year had his life destroyed," he said.
"RTÉ and Alleycat Films have in my mind placed all of us in their debt in what is a splendid, valuable exercise in public service broadcasting. There are so many reasons I could think of why this film should be seen in every household, and it would be just incredibly valuable if it were seen in every school."
The powerful documentary had a similar impact on viewers watching at home.
Commenting on on X (formally Twitter), UCC lecturer Dr Sharon Lambert said: “A beautiful child and his heart broken parents #Patrick, a community asking for their children not to be bullied and broken. Grief stricken pleas that cannot fall on deaf ears, there is far too much grief for the community. Everyone of us has a role to play.”
Meanwhile, Orla Egan described the documentary as “powerful and heartbreaking”.
“I keep thinking about the words of Patrick’s mother last night, said to the bullies that tortured her son online…. “I forgive you, I don’t hold any hate in my heart”. What strength, in the face of such horror. If we had half of her nobility,” said Karen Dervan in a separate tweet.
- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
- is available to watch now on the RTÉ Player
