Harney speaks movingly of friend who took her own life

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has disclosed how she was left stunned by the suicide of a close friend during her college days.

Ms Harney spoke movingly of the loss of her friend when she opened a major conference on suicide organised by Console in Dublin yesterday.

She recalled that her friend, who she referred to as Karen, was the first person she brought to Leinster House when she was nominated to the Seanad in 1977.