Limerick coroner records five out of seven inquests as suicides

THERE is a “very worrying situation at the minute” said Limerick coroner John McNamara, with regard to the number of suicides in the city and county.

“A lot of young men are dying by suicide,” said Mr McNamara.

The coroner, and Inspector Gearoid Thompson presided over seven inquests - five of the seven verdicts were suicides - in one day at Kilmallock Court. They took place over a six-week period earlier this year.

Speaking at the end of the final inquest, Mr McNamara said suicide is a “big problem”.

“The inspector and I have spoken about it. There were seven cases today - five of them were suicides. Four out of the five were males - there is a big problem. Alcohol and drugs are a bad combination - they affect your mental health,” said Mr McNamara, who also spoke of studies that link substance misuse at a young age to future mental health issues.

As the coroner recorded a verdict of suicide in the final inquest of the day, he said it is “important to acknowledge that is what happened”.

At an earlier inquest, Mr McNamara said there was a time that people were afraid to use the word suicide.

“If we don’t acknowledge it, we won’t help other people suffering. We have to face up to it,” said Mr McNamara.
The Limerick coroner said suicide is “devastating for families”.

“We have a duty to put the right label on it. If we don’t record it, how will it be tackled in the future. We have got to face up to it,” said Mr McNamara.

Insp Gearoid Thompson (pictured, below) spoke of his deep sadness at five of the seven inquests being recorded as suicides.
“We don’t want anyone else to suffer,” said Insp Thompson, who echoed Mr McNamara in wishing to highlight what occurred in Kilmallock Court instead of hiding it. Their passing may spare somebody else,” said Insp Thompson, who urged those who are suffering to contact any of the organisations at the end of this article.

“We in An Garda Siochana have a role under the Coroners Act 1962 to attend and investigate but we are also here to support and assist bereaved families and, of course, our door is always open to assist with any person who is suffering to lead them to help,” said Insp Thompson.

The families of two of the deceased spoke of the effect Covid had on their loved ones.

“He had addiction issues most of his adult life - heroin. He suffered with his mental health and depression. Covid enforced all these issues,” said a family member.

Mr McNamara said there is a link between depression, drug use and suicide and “possibly making a bad decision”.

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Consultant pathologist, Dr Teresa Laszlo confirmed there was heroin in his system but it wasn’t the cause of death.

A family member of the deceased in a different inquest said the person had depression and was on medication.

“During the pandemic he suffered an awful lot. He kind of went down. He had joined a men’s shed and choir but that all stopped. When things opened up the damage was done - it had dragged him down too much,” said the family member.

Mr McNamara said Covid thwarted his attempts to get back out. The family member agreed and added that working from home hadn’t helped either. A toxic level of alcohol and anti-depressants was found but it wasn’t the cause of death.

In all the inquests, Mr McNamara expressed his sincere condolences to the family present and Insp Thompson extended his sincere sympathies on behalf of An Garda Siochana.

If you have been affected by this article contact any of the following organisations: Samaritans: 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org; Aware: 1800 80 48 48; Pieta: 1800 247 247 or email mary@pieta.ie