Rise in suicides among elderly people

INCREASING isolation and the closure of traditional meeting places has been blamed for the rising number of suicides among elderly people.

Pointing to newly released suicide figures from south Kerry, the coroner, solicitor Terence Casey, said the worrying trend had been particularly noticeable since 2005.

The warning comes after the Offaly County Coroner warned earlier this week that suicide is now “rampant” in rural society.