AWARD-winning Irish actor, writer, director, and Travellers’ rights advocate, John Connors, called on members of the Traveller community involved in feuding to step back from violence and “return to God”.
Mr Connors spoke out on social media following an attack on a Limerick Traveller woman at Birdhill, County Tipperary, last Saturday.
Scarlett Faulkner (20s) was beaten about her head by at least one person who was armed with a long implement at the side of the R494 roadway, situated between Birdhill village and the M7 motorway.
Others who were at the scene brandished a hatchet and a sword-like weapon.
Video footage of the attack appeared to show a young woman filming the assault beside another woman who appeared to be using a weapon to repeatedly strike a third young woman lying motionless on the roadside, believed to have been Scarlett Faulkner.
Ms Faulkner’s sister posted a message on social media asking people to stop sharing images of her sister lying in her hospital bed.
Scarlett Faulkner remains gravely ill at Cork University Hospital having been transferred from University Hospital Limerick.
The mother of one from Limerick City was airlifted by helicopter from the scene due to the seriousness of her injuries.
In a video entitled “Please stop the feuds”, posted on his Facebook account, Mr Connors said: “I just have to comment on this, even though I know it’s going to get me a bit of stick, but that video that’s going around of that Traveller woman who was hurt in the feud was absolutely horrendous.”
“I’m gonna ask people to pray for that woman, and hopefully she pulls through and is in good health when she comes out of it too, please God.”
Mr Connor’s pleaded with “the people who are involved in these feuds, or encouraging feuds,” to stop.
“The Traveller feuds are getting out of hand,” he said.
Appealing to the Traveller community to stand for peace, Mr Connors said: “What are we doing? We’re destroying our own community. Look at me, I’m a walking, talking hypocrite, sinner, I’ve been involved in feuds myself, at 11/12, years of age, I was involved in feuds with hairy grown men coming after me in the streets.”
“This is what happens, okay? This is the reality; children get involved, the women get involved. Violence, day in, day out. You can’t go out for fear of looking over your shoulder. There’s no luck from it all, very bad luck, in fact, from every bit of it.
“We need to stop this. We need to stop killing ourselves up and down the country and videoing it all and putting it all on camera.”
Asking people to turn their backs on violence and turn to religion, the award-winning actor said: “We need to stop, we need to stop the violence, we need to stop the feuding. And you know what the key is to stopping — Go back to God.”
“Understand that there is an afterlife. There is a judgment day, and we’ll all be judged for our actions.”
Mr Connors urged the public to “say a prayer for that woman again. God bless her. Please be to God that she will be alright.”
Gardaí at Nengah, County Tipperary, have appealed for witnesses to the assault on Ms Faulkner.
The Garda investigation team working on the case has specifically sought information about the movements and whereabouts of two vehicles suspected of being used by those involved in the assault.
“In particular, Gardaí are seeking information on the movements of two vehicles, a grey 162 Ford Transit van and a blue 161 Volkswagen Touran people carrier, travelling in convoy or driving dangerously between 4.30pm and 5.30pm on Saturday March 21 in and around Birdhill village, the townlands of Cooleen, Crag Cross, Shower Cross, Kylebeg, Annaholty and Thornhill, all in County Tipperary,” said a Garda spokesperson.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Nenagh Garda Station on 067 50 450, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.