Schizophrenic hanged himself days after hospital release

A schizophrenic admitted to hospital following suicide bids hanged himself four days after he was discharged, an inquest heard today.

The body of Billy McGlone, 51, was found tied to a banister at his west Belfast home in October 2000.

Mr McGlone, who suffered from chronic depression and alcoholism, had run out in front of traffic in an earlier attempt to end his life.

When the former gas fitter then took an overdose, he was taken into a psychiatric unit at the Mater Hospital, north Belfast.

During his month on the ward a weekend pass to go home was cut short when he slit one of his wrists.

Mr McGlone, who had become obsessed with religion, also reported seeing an apparition of the Virgin Mary and told staff of his guilt at the “terrible things” he had done, Belfast Coroners Court was told.

But after convincing doctors his health had improved, and pledging to take medication which he had neglected, he was allowed to go home in late September.

Four days later, however, his lodger Seamus McGuickin woke from an afternoon nap to find Mr McGlone lying dead on the staircase.

Sheets were tied round his neck and to the bannister.

Mr McGuickin, who had lived at the house on Bearnagh Drive for 15 years, died weeks later, the inquest heard.

Graeme McDonald, a consultant psychiatrist who treated Mr McGlone for 10 years, insisted that despite a history of small overdoses and self-harm, no previous attempt had come close to ending his life.

He told the hearing: “It’s been a case of reflection for all those who treated Billy at the time.

“To think of our role, and there’s no easy answers as to why this happened.”

But with Mr McGlone’s mood lightening during his time at the Mater – most of it on a voluntary basis – Mr McDonald totally backed specialist registrar Dr Pat McMahon agreeing to his discharge.

Dr McMahon told the hearing he questioned Mr McGlone, who never married, and was reassured the sense of hopelessness had passed.

“He said life was worth living and he would attend outpatient appoints,” he said.

“I could not have detained him against his will.”

A supply of tablets was given to him after he told staff he would contact his brother Patrick, who helped look after him, if any problems developed.

Mr McGlone, who last saw his brother three days before he signed himself out, said no suicide note was found.

The dead man’s community psychiatric nurse, Daniel Teggart, visited him on the morning of his death.

He recalled Mr McGlone appearing in good health.

“Billy was generally unshaven, but on this particular occasion he was well groomed, neat and tidy, and in good spirits,” Mr Teggart said.

Coroner Deborah Malcolm found Mr McGlone had died by hanging himself.

She added: “He was last seen at approximately 5pm... and one does not know what precisely happened during those few hours.”