Advertisement
Patrick Nelis bore the brunt of Twitter abuse after a club game. Morgan Treacy/INPHO
GAA

GAA referee tells of suicide attempt after Twitter abuse

The official suffered abuse on the social media network after a club game.

ONE OF MEATH’S top referees has admitted that Twitter abuse following last year’s county football final contributed to a suicide attempt which almost claimed his life.

Tyrone native Patrick Nelis took charge of the 2013 Meath SFC final between victors Summerhill and neighbouring club Na Fianna.

Just weeks later, he attempted to take his own life with an overdose of tablets.

The Kells based official was battling deep depression and broke into “floods of tears” after the county final when he learned of the online abuse directed at him.

By his own admission,Nelis had “piled on the weight” at the time due to his depression medication and Twitter trolls didn’t hold back.

“I took a lot of abuse on Twitter after the county final that affected me badly,” said Nelis. “I took serious abuse, people Tweeting stuff like ‘the fat, red hamster’.

“I remember sitting at home reading that stuff in floods of tears. I kept reading it again and again, trying to get behind the reason people would say such things.

“I shouldn’t have done that, I shouldn’t have read it.”

Nelis told his tale to the Meath Chronicle newspaper in the hope that others will seek help and ultimately recover.

The 35-year old praised local GAA officials for intervening when he was at his lowest point.

“I took the overdose but what I didn’t realise was that I had sent a text, halfway through it all, saying I was going to do something,” recalled Nelis. “I don’t remember sending it.

“My friend, who had a key, came around, found me on the bathroom floor. I was out basically cold. I was taken to Navan Hospital.”

Nelis isn’t the first GAA figure to speak about the devastating impact of depression.

Last July, Meath captain Kevin Reilly warned social media users not to cross the line and “personally insult players”. Respected official Nelis said that in previous years he wouldn’t have been as effected by such abuse but was also going through a personal break-up.

“I was lucky,” he said. “I made it through. What I would say to others is to get help, there is help out there.”

Helplines

  • Console 1800 247 247 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement)
  • Aware 1890 303 302 (depression anxiety)

  • Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie - (suicide, self-harm, bereavement)

  • Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)

  • Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)

– First published 00.05

You can’t get away from them: GAA fans can watch The Sunday Game abroad this summer

We’ll leave it there so: Hiney retires, our World Cup bid and all the rest of today’s sport

Your Voice
Readers Comments
15
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.