Cork City Hall event to hear about neuroscientist's recovery from 15-year heroin addiction

Dr Brian Pennie, who is a neuroscientist, author, and lecturer at Trinity College Dublin and UCD, will tell his story of recovery following a 15-year heroin addiction at the event in City Hall, organised by the Tabor Group. File picture: Andres Poveda

The power of second chances for people recovering from addiction will be discussed at an event in Cork on Tuesday to mark Recovery Month.

Dr Brian Pennie, who is a neuroscientist, author, and lecturer at Trinity College Dublin and UCD, will tell his story of recovery following a 15-year heroin addiction at the event in City Hall, organised by the Tabor Group.

Dr Pennie returned to education after recovery and is now a regular motivational speaker.

On Tuesday afternoon, almost 200 people will gather in Millennium Hall in City Hall to hear him tell his story during an event which will explore topics including forgiveness, recovery and social integration following addiction.

The event will also feature a panel discussion on whether society is forgiving when it comes to addiction. 

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Hosted by RTÉ reporter Brian O’Connell, the event will feature contributions from recovering addict Gary Coleman who is now a store manager for Mr Price; the chief executive of Cork Alliance, Sheila Connolly; clinic director of the Tabor Group, Mick Devine; David Lane of HSE’s Drug and Alcohol Services for Cork and Kerry, and Edel McSorley, who will give her perspective of working with recovering addicts in her role as operations manager at Mr Price.

Ahead of the event, Brian Pennie said: “Recovery is about so much more than simply getting clean. It’s about rebuilding your life from the inside out.”

Chief executive of the Tabor Group, Stella O’Sullivan, said: “Forgiveness is not just a personal act – it is a societal responsibility. This event is about challenging perceptions, opening minds, and fostering understanding.” 

On Saturday, Dr Pennie and Mr Devine will be speaking at the 8th annual Mindfulness Conference, at University College Cork.

Recovery Walk

Meanwhile, a Recovery Walk will take place in Cork city centre in a partnership between the Tabor Group and the Recovery Academy.

Members of the public are invited to take part in the walk from Patrick’s Street to Fitzgerald’s Park “in a powerful show of solidarity, support, and hope for everyone impacted by addiction”.

The event begins at 12 noon, and will be followed by a Family Fun Day in Fitzgerald’s Park until 4pm with music, games, and entertainment.

The Tabor Group says that the event is being held “to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and celebrate the strength and resilience of those on the path to recovery”.

Those interested in taking part in the walk can register with the Tabor Group by emailing [e-mail] to receive a Tabor Group T-shirt.