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Black and white ink drawing of a figure with yellow background
Rebecca Kehoe, D A M O C L E S, 2026.

Rebecca Kehoe

D A M O C L E S, 2026

Graphite and Polychromo pencil on paper 

‘What does it mean to flee your home, your country? To leave everything you have ever known behind. Children, family, friends, community, your status, your identity. To arrive somewhere with nothing, unknown. No good reputation or standing. Starting again from scratch. Can you imagine doing this? This is what it means for those entering the International Protection system. Waiting daily on a decision that will affect the rest of their lives. Their future. The Sword of Damocles hangs over them.’

D A M O C L E S, 2026

Graifít agus peann luaidhe Polychromo

‘Céard a bhíonn i gceist le teitheadh ó do bhaile, do thír? Gach uile rud a bhain leis an saol a bhí agat a fhágáil i do dhiaidh. Leanaí, teaghlach, cairde, pobal, do stádas, d’aitheantas. Dul chomh fada le háit éigin eile gan aon rud agat, áit nach bhfuil aithne ag aon duine ort. Níl dea-chlú nó dea-cháil ort. Tá tú ag tosú ón tús arís. An bhféadfá a leithéid a shamhlú? Sin é go díreach a bhíonn le déanamh ag daoine a bhíonn páirteach sa Chóras um Chosaint Idirnáisiúnta. Bíonn siad ag fanacht gach lá ar chinneadh a mbeidh tionchar aige ar an gcuid eile dá saol. A dtodhchaí. Tá Claíomh Damocles ar crochadh os a gcionn.’

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