Hidden among the units of an industrial estate outside Waterford is Tony O’Reilly’s office, a paragon of order and neatness. The walls are pristine white. The armchairs where he sits with clients as an addiction counsellor are spotless yellow; the rug is a blend of yellow, white and grey geometric shapes. His books are stacked immaculately on the shelves. His partner Darina shares the space as a therapist for adolescents and is responsible for the decor, he says. But it suits him too.

“I like order. Elements of that played a part in the gambling. Elements of that played a part in my recovery as well.”

It is a blend of the calm and chaotic that has shaped O’Reilly’s life. When he was younger, before