Sport of Thrones actor Michael Patrick died at age 35 following a three-year battle with an incurable neurodegenerative illness.
The actor and playwright — who was affectionately often known as “Mick” by his family and friends — memorably appeared in a Sport of Thrones season 6 episode as a Wildling and likewise starred in British reveals This City and My Left Nut.
Patrick was identified with motor neurone illness (MND) in February 2023 after experiencing steadiness and mobility abnormalities whereas engaged on a play. Tragically, he had a household historical past with MND as his father additionally died from the situation.
After present process scientific drug trials, his spouse, Naomi Sheehan, confirmed by way of Instagram on April 8, 2026, that Patrick died following 10 days in a Belfast, Northern Eire, hospice care middle.
Maintain scrolling for extra details about MND and Patrick’s prognosis.
What Is Motor Neurone Illness?
The Mayo Clinic describes motor neurone illness — also referred to as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s illness — as a neurodegenerative situation that impacts nerve cells within the mind and spinal wire.
“The illness results in muscle weak spot and will get worse over time,” the clinic states.
These with MND steadily lose muscle management over their speech, swallowing and limbs.
What Are the Signs of Motor Neurone Illness?
The Mayo Clinic specifies “muscle twitching and weak spot in an arm or leg, bother swallowing, or slurred speech” as early signs of MND. Ultimately, the affected person has rising issue talking and swallowing and may now not management their limbs.
In Michael Patrick’s case, he first skilled signs whereas performing in a play on the Dublin Fringe in late 2022.
“I needed to dance in it and I stored falling over, tripping on my footwear,” he instructed the “Mind and Life” podcast in January 2026. “I stored blaming my footwear, stored saying, ‘Why have they obtained me dancing in these large chunky footwear? It’s not honest.’ Nevertheless it didn’t get higher.”
Patrick was suggested to see a physician by a relative. By the point he was identified with MND in February 2023, he’d already misplaced the power to “elevate [his] proper foot” and “couldn’t level [his] toes to the ceiling.”
Can Motor Neurone Illness Be Handed Down By Households?
Per the MND Affiliation, “inherited MND impacts as much as 1 in 10 folks” with the illness.
“You probably have a household historical past of MND, it doesn’t imply you’ll undoubtedly get the situation, as different threat components are normally wanted for MND to start,” the MND Affiliation states. “You may additionally hear inherited MND being known as familial or hereditary MND.”
In Michael Patrick’s case, his father died of MND inside months of being identified. Michael admitted to RTE in August 2025 that he initially nervous he’d face an analogous destiny.
“My dad was identified in February and he died that October,” Michael remembered. “There wasn’t a lot time with him. I’m considering, ‘Am I gonna [die] in October?’ Fortunately, I haven’t.”
Michael Patrick. Courtesy Instagram / Michael Patrick
Michael steered on the “Mind and Life” podcast that his household “appears to be the one one in Eire with the gene” for a uncommon type of MND.
“I’ve the FUS MND familial inherited model of 4 genes which are recognized to trigger MND and familial MND. One’s the FUS gene,” he famous. “I feel it’s one of many rarer of the 4.”
Is Motor Neurone Illness Incurable?
There isn’t a remedy for motor neurone illness however analysis into potential therapies is presently happening.
Michael Patrick was capable of get right into a scientific drug trial for a possible remedy and observed “the primary reversal of signs” inside weeks.
“I can now wiggle my proper foot [and] toes for the primary time in about two years. It’s small,” he instructed the “Mind and Life” podcast in January 2026. “And my respiration’s nonetheless going until I get a tracheotomy, and my arm’s nonetheless getting weaker, however reality is there’s some reversal there, which is absolutely thrilling.”
As folks dwelling with MND steadily lose the power to talk and breath freely, some choose to have a tracheostomy, the place a tube is surgically inserted within the throat to open up an airway.
Patrick thought of having a tracheostomy. He finally selected to not go ahead with the process in February 2026 after being given one yr to dwell by his neurologist.
“In brief I’m not going forward with the tracheostomy,” he confirmed by way of Instagram in February 2026. “I had affirmation it will be round 6-12 months earlier than I may get house as a consequence of lack of staffing assets. Thanks a lot to everybody who helped push this — from senior social employees, to politicians, to the chief government of the hospital. Everybody has tried so onerous, however there simply isn’t the employees.”
