MARY CONNORS, YOUTH TRAIN WEXFORD

Presented by Chief Superintendant Denis Ferry

FROM an early age Mary Connors has been helping her mam care for her older sister Ann who has a profound disability with a complicated form of Cerebral Palsy. As Mary progressed through Secondary School disaster struck with the tragedy of Carrickmines where a fire on a halting site resulted in the loss of ten members of the Travelling community which included some extended family members. With Mary’s mam having to travel up and down to Dublin to support other members of her family during this time; Mary took on the added responsibility of looking after her older sister during a period of several months. She was in 3rd year in school but felt she had missed out on too much to be able to do her Junior Cert.

AFTER several years, finding it harder and harder to leave the house, in 2019, Mary returned to education and began at Youth Train. While there are up to 35 young people in Youth Train, Mary’s personality shines out with positivity at all times. Mary is an inspiring young woman whose story goes beyond that of a Traveller woman. While there are many young people whose young lives are filled with caring duties, Mary accepted this responsibility and she often underestimates the value of that commitment.

WHILE Mary continues to help out at home but she is now determined to use the supports available in Youth Train to examine options that might not always be presented to a young Traveller woman. Youth Train and Wexford is fortunate to have Mary sharing her courage and determination with all those she interacts with and we look forward to the next inspiring chapter in her story.