By Michelle Crawley
MULLINGAR was the host destination at the weekend for the 7th annual Tomás Mulligan (TM) Cycle in aid of Pieta House, the centre for the prevention of self-harm or suicide.
Seventy cyclists took part in the 240 kilometre cycle from Dublin to Mullingar and back again, in memory of the late Dublin footballer, Tomás Mulligan, who took his own life in 2007. Thirty volunteers ably assisted the cyclists in the towns en-route, marshalling, handing out flyers, shaking buckets and collecting donations.
Speaking to Topic this week, Tom Mulligan, father of the late Tomás Mulligan, said that the charity fundraiser was set up to spread the message that help is available and one can get back to living a happy life. Each year the cycle not only aims to raise awareness and spread that message but also raises funds for Pieta, a non-profit organisation that provides a specialised treatment programme for people who have suicidal ideation or participate in self-harming.
WARM WELCOME IN MULLINGAR
Tom, aged 67, completed the cycle himself this year and says he was delighted when he reached Mullingar where he could have a well-earned rest and enjoy a nice meal and camraderie with the party of cyclists who set out from Drimnagh in Dublin earlier that day and made their way on a scenic journey to Mullingar via Maynooth, Athboy, Oldcastle and Castlepollard. “We were warmly welcomed by the Mayor of Mullingar, Ken Glynn, and enjoyed a gala dinner and a great evening in Mullingar.”
“A REWARDING
EXPERIENCE”
Tom arrived back to Dublin on Sunday evening after passing through Rochfortbridge and admitted that he was somewhat stiff after the challenging cycle, but says it was extremely rewarding. While Tom says that people deal with tragedy and grief in different ways, he agreed that the cycle for him is very therapeutic. “I find I get some healing from the cycle. I spend my time on the bike, thinking about my son, reflecting on memories and thinking about how I can make a difference in someone else’s life. If I can help save a life or save a family from the pain that our family have suffered, then it is worth the effort,” he revealed.
OUTREACH CENTRE PLANNED FOR
WESTMEATH
Topic has learned that Pieta House are hoping open an outreach centre in Westmeath within the next 6 months to a year. Pieta House has a total of nine centres throughout the country. Tom explained that Pieta’s vision is to ensure that no-one in Ireland should be more than 100 kilometres from a Pieta House centre and is thrilled that they are moving ever closer to that goal.
It is understood that Pieta are looking into the possibility of opening an outreach centre in either Mullingar or Athlone, due to the town’s central location in the midlands. While it has not yet been decided which town will become home to the service, Mullingar Mayor, Ken Glynn, told Topic this week that he is more than willing to do what he can to assist Pieta with opening a service in Mullingar.
“I am one hundred percent behind them. Pieta aim to have a centre within a 100 kilometre radius of everyone in Ireland and Mullingar is an ideal location. It is central and there certainly is the capacity for a centre here,” he said.
