Travellers three times more likely to die by suicide

A new study has found that members of the Travelling community are three times more likely to commit suicide than members of the general population.

The research was conducted between 2000 and 2006 and was part-funded by the Department of Justice.

Over the seven-year period, 74 members of the Travelling community died by suicide, with the rate rising to five times the national average in 2005.

Non-acceptance by the settled community and a sense of declining Traveller identity were highlighted as significant factors in the high suicide rate.

Meanwhile, the Irish Traveller Movement is launching a national petition today as part of a campaign to get Travellers recognised as an ethnic minority.

The Equality Authority, Amnesty International and the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism all support the campaign.

The ITM says ethnic status would help protect, support and cherish Traveller culture.