Coroner says rate of suicide set to be ‘a lot higher’ this year in south Kerry
Terence Casey, who conducted inquests into six suicides at his coroner’s court in Killarney on Monday, said there were 11 suicides in his area last year.
Meanwhile, the HSE South has confirmed a patient in the mental health unit at Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, has died.
“The HSE South is in contact with the patient’s family, the gardaí and the Mental Health Commission and will co-operate with any investigations that are deemed necessary,” a statement read. “The HSE South extends its deepest sympathy to the patient’s family and will continue to offer support to all those affected by this incident.”
Monday’s inquests were for suicides that occurred between March and June this year, in the Killarney area only. All were male, aged from 14 to 58.
Mr Casey said the suicide rate would be “a lot higher” in his overall area before the end of the year, as he had not yet held inquests for the remainder of south Kerry.
“There was a time when I might have one, or two, suicides out of maybe six inquests on a day, but now it’s becoming rampant. I never before had six in one sitting,” he told Radio Kerry.
He also urged people to become more aware of organisations and helplines and advised that details be posted in public places.
“With the effects of recession and financial problems, suicide could increase a lot more and could take precedence in coroners’ courts over other deaths.”
Mr Casey said several inquests in the area last year concerned people over 60.
There were 525 suicides in Ireland, last year, a 7% increase on the previous year.
