Improving mental health and tackling suicide in the Travelling Community will take centre stage in Tipperary this weekend.
A sulky horse drive is being held in Cahir on Sunday in association with Tipperary Traveller Horse Owners Association to highlight the need for improved mental health services for travellers.
Suicide rates are seven times higher in the Traveller community than the settled one.
To combat this, the Tipperary Travellers Horse Owners Association are holding an event this weekend to highlight the need for improved mental health services for travellers.
30 people on sulkies will take part, and it’s a chance for settled people to watch the run and view the horses.
Proceeds from Saturday’s event will go to Pieta House.
Brian Dillon of the Tipperary Rural Traveller Project says every traveller has been touched by the issue of suicide.
While issues with Traveller’s treatment of animals have been prevalent in the media, Peter McCarthy of the Tipperary Traveller Horse Owners Association says horses are promoting positive mental health in the community.
He says it’s a minority mistreating animals, and that the travelling community are now worried about laws and regulations surrounding sulkies.
The Cahir By-Pass will be closed on Sunday from 9.30 to 3pm from the Mitchelstown Road Junction to the Tipperary Road Roundabout to facilitate the charity sulkey drive.
Diversions will be in place
