"50% of Travellers won't celebrate their 40th birthday, and that's really shocking" - Galway TD
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Two Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members from Galway marked Traveller Pride Week on the Fianna Fáil: In Our Own Words podcast, featuring discussions with members of the Traveller community.
Galway West TD John Connolly and Senator Anne Rabbitte were joined by Star Stokes, who is a Community Development and Outreach Worker for Kilkenny Traveller Community Movement, and John Collins Mental Health Coordinator for Exchange House Ireland and the National Traveller Men's Movement.
Together, they shared personal experiences and reflected on the challenges and opportunities facing the Traveller community.
Deputy Connolly and Senator Rabbitte are both members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community.
During the discussion, Star Stokes spoke candidly about her experience of discrimination and her hopes for better for the next generation of Travellers.
“I was looking at my own children growing up and I don't want them to go through, and have to deal with, and get used to racism the way I did,” she said.
Deputy Connolly emphasised the stark inequalities facing the Traveller community, particularly in relation to health outcomes.
“We've done a lot of work in the committee about the health issues affecting the Traveller community, and some of the data is frightening, to put it mildly.
“One piece of data that we got is that 50 percent of travellers won't celebrate their 40th birthday, and that's really shocking in a developed world.
“In terms of mental health, I think there's an eight times greater chance that somebody from the Travelling community would die through suicide.”
John Collins highlighted the importance of community-based engagement in supporting Traveller men, particularly around mental health.
“If I had a formal meeting like this around the table, the lads won't open up. But we go down to Bray and do the walk down there and I get five minutes with each individual, and they'll open up.
“It's through me activities that I get me new clients. But they're not going to do it around their peers. It's just that they're a bit embarrassed.”
Senator Rabbitte underlined the importance of ensuring Traveller voices and experiences inform policymaking.
“We are very conscious ourselves, we don't come from the Traveller community, but yet we sit on a Traveller Oireachtas committee, so we need to ensure that your voices are heard.”
Senator Rabbitte paid tribute to the powerful example Star was setting for Traveller women.
“You are a huge inspiration to a lot of Traveller women and it's great to have you here and be it as a mother, be it a role model for your children, but also the inspiration for other Traveller women to get out and get involved,” she added.