Our family law system is driving men to suicide

So those who wished to have suicide included in the new legislation as grounds for abortion have got what they wanted.

It is, of course, difficult to disagree with their argument that legislation should not cause people to even contemplate suicide even though they produced no evidence to show that an unwanted pregnancy has caused any woman to take her own life.

Their professed concern for ensuring that our laws do not drive people to suicide would have more credibility if they also addressed legislation which can be shown to be a contributory factor in the high rate of male suicide.

Over the past decade or so I have known eight men who have taken their own lives because of the devastation caused to their lives by family courts acting on family laws.

Those who wish to dismiss this issue will, predictably, resort to the old cliché about men not discussing their problems, or men not seeking help.

All of the men referred to above talked openly about their problems and sought help. But who could save them from the persecution prescribed for them by the law as enforced by the courts?

The fact that I can predict with almost total certainty that, over the next year, the family law system will drive more men to suicide should make this the number one human rights issue in our society.

Will any of the self-styled champions of human rights (politicians, journalists etc), who were so vociferous recently deal honestly with this State-inflicted suicide? I think not.

To be seen to help men, who are in effect being driven to suicide by women with the support and assistance of the laws and machinery of State, would not suit their liberal agenda or image.

Matt Harper

Clones Road

Monaghan