Game of Thrones actor Michael Patrick, known fondly as “Mick” by his loved ones, has passed away at 35 after a three-year struggle with an incurable neurodegenerative disease. Patrick appeared in season 6 of Game of Thrones as a Wildling and also featured in British shows such as This Town and My Left Nut.
Patrick was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in February 2023 after noticing balance and mobility issues while working on a play. His father had also succumbed to MND, indicating a family history of the condition.
His wife, Naomi Sheehan, announced on Instagram on April 8, 2026, that Patrick had died after spending 10 days in hospice care in Belfast, Northern Ireland, following participation in clinical drug trials.
Keep scrolling for more information about MND and Patrick’s diagnosis.
What Is Motor Neurone Disease?
According to the Mayo Clinic, motor neurone disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
The disease leads to progressive muscle weakness and deteriorates over time, causing loss of muscle control over speech, swallowing, and limb movements.
What Are the Symptoms of Motor Neurone Disease?
The Mayo Clinic identifies early symptoms of MND as muscle twitching, limb weakness, difficulty swallowing, and slurred speech. As the disease progresses, patients face increasing challenges in controlling their speech and limb movements.
Michael Patrick first noticed symptoms while performing at the Dublin Fringe in late 2022. He recalled on the “Brain and Life” podcast in January 2026 that he struggled with balance during a dance performance, initially blaming his shoes for his falls. A relative urged him to consult a doctor, leading to his MND diagnosis in February 2023, by which time he had already lost some mobility in his right foot.
Can Motor Neurone Disease Be Passed Down Through Families?
According to the MND Association, inherited forms of MND affect up to 1 in 10 individuals with the disease. A family history of MND does not guarantee the condition will manifest, as other risk factors are typically required.
Michael’s father also passed away from MND within months of diagnosis, prompting Michael to worry about a similar outcome. He shared with RTE in August 2025 that he feared he might also die in October, as his father did, but was relieved when that did not happen.
Courtesy Instagram / Michael Patrick
On the “Brain and Life” podcast, Michael noted that his family might be the only one in Ireland carrying a rare genetic form of MND. He mentioned having the FUS gene, one of four known to cause familial MND, which he described as one of the rarer types.
Is Motor Neurone Disease Incurable?
Though there is no cure for motor neurone disease, research into possible treatments is ongoing. Michael Patrick participated in a clinical drug trial and reported some reversal of symptoms within weeks. He shared on the “Brain and Life” podcast in January 2026 that he could move his right foot and toes for the first time in about two years. However, despite minor improvements, his breathing and arm strength continued to decline.
As MND progresses, some individuals may opt for a tracheostomy, a procedure to open a direct airway through the throat. Patrick considered this option but ultimately decided against it in February 2026 after being told he had about a year to live. He explained on Instagram that due to staffing shortages, it would take 6-12 months to return home post-procedure, despite efforts from social workers, politicians, and hospital executives to expedite the process.
