Jessica’s 95-hour weeks were immoral, says mum of junior doctor who took own life

The mother of a junior doctor who took her own life described her daughter’s working hours as “immoral” following an inquest.

Jessica Murphy, 26, was found unconscious in her apartment at Exchange Hall in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on Dec 1 last year. She was later pronounced dead at Tallaght Hospital, where she was a junior doctor working in neurology. Dublin Coroner’s Court heard Dr Murphy had taken an “overwhelming” overdose of the anti-depressant amitriptyline.

Her parents raised the issue of her working hours during the inquest, telling coroner Brian Farrell she worked 95 hours a week. Speaking following the inquest, Marian Murphy said her daughter had been “put under too much pressure”.