Private suicide inquests ‘could increase stigma’

Concern that holding suicide inquests in private could increase stigma about such deaths was raised by Minister of State for Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch.

She was commenting on a call by Console for inquests into death by suicide to be held in private because the process compounded the grief. Console chief executive, Paul Kelly, said families bereaved by suicide could feel as if they were being put on trial at a public inquest.

“We just feel there has to be a better way,” he said.