The Hard Man

Short Description: 'The Hard Man' is a 52 minute documentary about Mike Kelly a former criminal from the Southhill area of Limerick city. It was made in 1995 by Pyramid Productions. It is a ZDF, ARTE and RTE co-production. The film details the social environment from which Kelly emerged and emphasises the role of alcohol in his descent into a life of violence, alcoholism and criminality. Kelly's redemption was built around a friendship with local curate Fr Joe Young and his partner Majella Hanlon. At the time of making the film Kelly was successfully running a security business and dedicating time to training local Limerick youth to play soccer as a means to keep them from leading the kind of life he did. Kelly died in tragic circumstances in June 2004. The film includes interviews with Mike Kelly and members of his family, his partner Majella Hanlon, Fr Joe Young and former governor of Mountjoy prison John Lonergan, actuality filmed around Limerick city and the suburb of Southhill.