Charity founder devastated by suicide of his third brother

TOMMY ROCHE, aged 31, spent three years trying to prevent young people taking their lives, now he is trying to cope with a third suicide in his own family.

He established the Aljeff charity to help people with depression and addiction problems following the deaths of his brothers, Alan and Jeffery, in 1999. The charity, named after Tommy’s brothers, received national attention when the Limerick man appeared on the Late Late Show to tell the nation about his family’s grief.

Entertainer Sinead O’Connor was so moved by Tommy’s campaign she sold her house in Atlanta and donated the proceeds to Aljeff.

Last Tuesday, another of Tommy’s brothers killed himself. John Roche, 25, the youngest son of Gerard and Lena’s 11 children, was found dead in a house in O’Malley Park, Southill.

“We’re absolutely devastated and my head is spinning at the moment. We’re too upset to talk about it,” Tommy said yesterday.

Gifted footballer Alan Roche, aged 22, hanged himself from goalposts at his local club three years ago.

After the family returned from Alan’s funeral, his brother, Jeffery, aged 26, hanged himself from a bedroom window.

The parish priest at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Fr Damien Ryan, said the entire community was still coming to terms with John’s death: “There is a palpable sense of shock here. John’s parents are from this parish and the family is very well respected.” Fr Ryan said Tommy had won the admiration of people in Limerick and beyond for his efforts to help those with addiction problems.

Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan said she was shocked and saddened at the news and she urged public bodies to renew efforts to help people with depression: “There is a need for public services to ensure they are always open to people who feel suicidal. I’m particularly saddened for Tommy who has worked so hard in this area.”