Den’s Gallagher to speak at health promotion event

PRESIDENTIAL candidate Seán Gallagher is among the speakers who will address a health promotion evening tonight.

Organised by the West Tipperary Mental Health Association and the Friends of Mount Sion Community Residence, the event will focus on “building resilience together” and takes place at the Ballykisteen Hotel and Golf Resort outside Tipperary town.

Heading the list of speakers is Mr Gallagher, well-known from RTÉ’s Dragons’ Den programme and a candidate in the forthcoming election and actress Mary McEvoy, who is best known for her role as Biddy in Glenroe.

She revealed in 2009 that she suffered from depression for many years.

Other speakers include consultant psychiatrists Dr Alan Moore and former TD Dr Moosajee Bhamjee, Muintir na Tire president Martin Quinn, and Dr Iver Hanrahan, chairman of the Friends of Mount Sion, a group which supports a local residence for mental health patients.

There is no admittance charge to this part of the evening, which will be held in the Bally K Club at Ballykisteen Hotel, and will be opened at 8pm by the Tipperary Gospel Choir. They will be followed by the presentations from the speakers. There will be an open forum to facilitate questions and answers from the audience.

A night of entertainment will follow, with tickets at €15. All proceeds go to the West Tipperary Mental Health Association. A free bus service will operate from Tipperary town to the venue.