CLARE hurling legend Davy Fitzgerald has said he is “proud” of his son for facing up to his gambling addiction and seeking treatment.
Colm Fitzgerald recently avoided jail after stealing €35,000 from his employer.
Speaking for the first time about his son’s case, Davy told how he “feels for” his 28-year-old lad who was given a suspended 12-month prison sentence earlier this month.
Colm had admitted stealing the money from his then employer, Bank of Ireland, to feed his “out-of-control gambling addiction”.
In an interview with The Irish Sun, Davy, 53, declared: “You feel for Colm. Gambling is an issue in society and I’m proud he went away and got rehab and has dealt with it.
“I don’t want to go into it too much but so far, so good. He’s trying very hard.
“There was a lot of stuff he had to go through but I’m proud of him. He would get a lot of stick and sometimes you have to take that. Sometimes you do things you shouldn’t do, you accept them and you move on.”
Last month a court heard how Colm, who had “no previous convictions”, was now engaged in a residential therapy programme run by the Bushypark Addiction Treatment Centre in Ennis, Co Clare, and he continues to attend regular meetings of Gamblers Anonymous.
The GAA manager and Ireland’s Fittest Family coach stressed the importance of talking through your problems with family and friends as he launched the Samaritans Away Day Games.
The Games are an outdoor pursuits-style competition for corporates and business to raise funds for the charity’s life-saving work.
Davy said: “The Samaritans do such a great job.
“I’ve spoken openly before about my own mental health struggles in the past and I truly believe in what the Samaritans do, giving people the time and a safe space to work through their problems.
“Speaking through your thoughts and having someone to listen, in confidence, is often what someone needs to see a way out.”
The GAA man admits he feels under pressure himself, being recognised on the street, but tells himself to ignore the negatives.
‘YOU’LL SNAP AT THEM’
He said: “I get both sides of it.
“You don’t mind nice people coming up to you who want to stop and chat. But you’ll meet the opposite as well. Someone who has a go and you’ll snap at them and regret it afterwards.
“That happened to me recently. Something was said. I didn’t like it and I thought there was no call for it.
“I reacted and I shouldn’t have. No matter what was said to me. I should have let it go.”
ACTION NEEDED
But the hurling manager and former player believes people have to face worse from online trolls.
Davy said: “I’ve no problem with people’s opinion but not when it gets personal. Stuff on social media can affect your family.
“I can’t believe there isn’t legislation there to stop it.
“It’s something I call on the Government to deal with. Freedom of speech is one thing but having a go at people just isn’t right. It’s tough when people online just want to attack you.”
CHARITY EFFORTS
Davy repeatedly stressed the importance of being able to talk to someone about a problem.
He has teamed up with adventurer Dane Galligan, his TV co-star from RTE series, Davy’s Toughest Team, to encourage workplaces to sign up for the Samaritans Away Day Games in which teams tackle physical and mental challenges.
The challenges include balance beams, monkey bars, and the ultimate test — the ‘Final Climb for Samaritans’ — a 12ft ramp featured on Ireland’s Fittest Family.
GET INVOLVED
SAMARITANS Away Day Games will be held on Friday, September 26 at Wanderers Stadium, Dublin 4. For more info and to register visit: www.samaritans.ie/games.
Samaritans is a suicide prevention charity which encourages people to reach out for support before an issue becomes so overwhelming you see no way out.
Its volunteers answer more than half a million calls and emails every year to its freephone number 116 123 and email jo@samaritans.ie, supporting people with a range of concerns including mental health issues, loneliness and isolation, family and relationship problems, as well as from people who are feeling suicidal.
