GP takes own life at psychiatric hospital

A GP took his own life in the grounds of a psychiatric hospital shortly after visiting his patients there, an inquest heard.

Cathal Martin, aged 45, from Reginald St, Dublin 8, was found dead in a wooded area at St Ita’s Hospital in Portrane, Co Dublin, on Oct 25, 2012.

Dublin Coroner’s Court heard from his wife, Arantxa Martin, that she last spoke to Dr Martin at around 2pm on the day of his death, and they had discussed an upcoming trip to Barcelona.

He was “happy on the phone”, she said. An hour later she received a call from Dr Martin’s clinic asking if she knew where he was, as he had not returned from St Ita’s. She called and texted him but got no reply.

His body was discovered in the woods by a cyclist at about 4.30pm that day.

The autopsy revealed no alcohol or medication in his system.

Ms Martin said she thought her husband was very happy and she was unaware of any problems he had apart from some stress. The couple had been trying to have a baby through IVF and Ms Martin said that, shortly before her husband’s death, they had found out their most recent attempt had failed.

“Cathal took the news and was extremely strong for me,” she said. “He never showed his devastation but I know he was upset.”

He had also been under financial pressure related to his practice, she said,

Coroner Brian Farrell said a number of “farewell notes” were found at the scene. He returned a verdict of death by suicide.