‘I actually understand why people go home and hang themselves’

THESE are the shocking words of a 51-year-old teacher who along with ordinary members of the public expressed their anger and disillusionment concerning the budget directly to Finance Minister Brian Lenihan yesterday.

Speaking on the Today with Pat Kenny Show, schoolteacher Carol O’Byrne, described how she would lose an additional e800 to e900 a month as a result of yesterday’s budget measures.

“I couldn’t sleep last night. I am now suffering from anxiety since February over this because I never thought at 51 years of age that I am going to be financially insecure for the rest of my working life,” she said.