Schizophrenia groups demands written apology from McDaid

Schizophrenia Ireland has demanded a full written apology from Fianna Fail TD Jim McDaid over his comments on suicide.

Mr McDaid has been criticised from all angles this week, including from his own party, after he told a

youth conference that suicide is selfish.

John Saunders, the director of Schizophrenia Ireland, said: "We’re particularly astonished that a government minister, who is also a general practitioner, should have more knowledge and insight than he displayed by that remark.

"It is well known that the vast majority of people who commit suicide have either a very severe mental illness or are undergoing extreme mental anguish and anxiety."