Gambling and gaming addictions will be discussed openly at two community information events in Ballybofey and Stranorlar this week.
Mr Tony O’Reilly, an Irish postman who gambled €10,000,000, will be the guest speaker at events promoting the Gambling Therapy and Support Service at the Finn Valley Family Resource Centre.
Tony became front-page news in 2011 after he stole €1.75 million from An Post while he was a branch manager in Gorey, Co. Wexford. He used the money to fund a gambling addiction that began with a bet of €1 and eventually rose to €10 million, leading to the loss of his job, his family, his home – and winning him a prison sentence.
Tony turned his lived experience of a gambling addiction to train as an addiction counsellor.
He will be speaking at a number of events in Donegal over the course of these two days.
Monday 2nd of October –‘Gambling & Gaming Addiction Information & Networking Evening’
7:00pm – 9:00pm in the FRC in Stranorlar.
This event is aimed at people who already work in this area, who may be referring in to the service or who have a special interest because of their work or organisation.
NB: The venue for this event is small, so it is advisable to book a place for this event in advance by sending an email to gamblingsupport@dpfss.ie
Tuesday 3rd of October – ‘In conversation with Tony O’Reilly: Let’s talk about gambling & gaming addictions’
7:00-9:00pm in Jackson’s Hotel
This event is for parents, interested adults, members of the community and sporting organisations.
Tony will also be visiting a number of post primary schools.
The Gambling Therapy and Support Service at Finn Valley FRC is a low cost, confidential service available to those with a gambling problem or their loved ones.
This service is to support anyone with a gambling issue and those around them that is impacted by this issue. You can contact Gertrude Houton, Gambling Support Counsellor on 0860675183 / 0749131245 or Email: gamblingsupport@dpfss.ie
The service is funded by the Gambling Awareness Trust which is an independent charity that funds research, education and treatment services to help minimise gambling-related harm in Ireland.
