Cobh deaths: Daughter’s anti-suicide plea

The teenage daughter of a couple who died in an apparent murder-suicide wrote a poignant message on her Facebook page earlier this year urging people not to consider taking their own lives.

Sarah Greaney, the 16-year-old daughter of Michael, 53, and Valerie Greaney, 49, who were found stabbed to death in the family home in Cobh on Sunday, wrote online that “suicide should never be an option” and “you can always get help anywhere”.

“People walk around this town looking like the happiest person ever, when really you can’t imagine how depressed they are,” she wrote in May. “I seriously have no problem talking to anyone if they’re feeling the worst, so don’t feel you can’t talk to me, and I know this sounds so cheesy but stay strong.”

Sarah was not at home as the tragedy unfolded in O’Neill’s Place, Cobh, Co Cork. She returned to find her older sister Michelle bleeding profusely from stab wounds to the chest. Her mother and father had also suffered stab wounds. They both died as a result.

Michelle Greaney: Was found stabbed

The horror of what Sarah found is in stark contrast to photographs posted on her mother’s Facebook page just a little over two months ago, depicting a smiling family enjoying the celebrations at Michelle’s graduation at University College Cork.

Valerie’s Facebook page also poignantly reveals she had planned to attend the Lusitania Centenary Year Tour in Cobh, scheduled to take place on New Year’s Day. The tour was to start at the main doors of St Colman’s Cathedral.

William Crean, Bishop of Cloyne, yesterday asked for prayers for all of those affected by the tragic events.

“I was deeply shocked to hear of the deaths of Michael and Valerie Greaney and the serious injuries suffered by their daughter, Michelle,” he said. “I ask the faithful of the diocese to pray for all of those affected by these sad events.”

In a statement last night, the HSE extended its sympathy to the family and friends of Michael and Valerie Greaney. The HSE said it would liaise with the family and community in relation to this incident.

The HSE said it could not comment on an individual case but made an oblique reference to Michael Greaney’s committal to and later release from the Central Mental Hospital a few months ago following an attack on a young female.

“Individuals who are committed to the Central Mental Hospital under section 5(2) of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act receive treatment and care. Under the act, the court has the authority to release an individual and not detain them,” said the statement.

Meanwhile, supports are to be made available for young people affected by the events, particularly for friends of Sarah Greaney, who is a student at Cobh Community College.

The National Educational Psychological Service helps schools to support students when classmates are involved in traumatic events.

-The HSE has advised anyone affected by the tragedy to seek help and encouraged them to contact Console’s freephone helpline service on 1800 247247 or the Samaritans on 116 123.