Nicola Keating: 'My husband was a binge gambler for 17 years. Each time I forgave him'

For 17 years, Dublin mother-of-three Nicola Keating lived with a problem gambler — until one day came a realisation that propelled her to say ‘stop’. She tells Helen O’Callaghan about that and other turning points in her life with her husband, a man she loves dearly

Nicola Keating: 'I did it through counselling and after-care treatment in the Rutland Centre.' Picture: Moya Nolan

My husband was a binge gambler. Seventeen years of it I went through. We’re together 33 years now.

There were periods where he wouldn’t gamble for weeks, months. Then, all of a sudden, one big mad bender.