Father in suicide appeal

A COUNTY councillor whose son committed suicide before Christmas has launched a public awareness campaign in a bid to stop other families going through a similar trauma.

Cllr Peter Roche, a Fine Gael member of Galway County Council, said something tangible needed to be done as there were more than 550 suicides in Ireland each year.

His son Colin died near their home in Abbeyknockmoy in November. And their trauma was multiplied when Colin’s girlfriend Lisa Healy took her own life a few weeks ago.

Mr Roche said suicide was still a taboo subject.

His son Colin, 23, and girlfriend Lisa are buried side by side in a Co Galway graveyard.

Cllr Roche believes the number of suicides was even higher than the official figure.

“The number taking their own life is the same as a jumbo jet crashing on this island every year. We need to do something,” he said.

He wants people to buy the €1 1Life wristband which carries a helpline number 1800 247100.