This article is from page 3 of the 2006-01-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
THE number of suicides in Clare last year was half the 2004 figure.
Provisional figures obtained by The Clare People show ten suspected suicides in 2005, compared to the previous year’s total of 20.
The provisional number is the lowest total in five years – there were 13 suicides in 2003, 12 in 2002 and 13 in 2001.
All the victims last year were male and nine were single, with the tenth married, but separated. The figures show that men under the age of thirty are most at risk with five taking their own lives.
The next largest grouping are those aged over fifty with three taking their own lives.
There was one person under the age of 20, one in his thirties and one in his forties.
The deaths of two other people who lost their lives in the River Fergus last year remained “unexplained” and cannot be categorised as suicide.
Last year was the first time in a number of years when no suicide took place at the Cliffs of Moher. In 2004, four people lost their lives at the Cliffs.
Two men took their lives over the recent holiday period. However, from July to December no suicide took place in the county.
The figures also show that the largest proportion of suicides took place in rural parts of west Clare.
In response to the figures, consultant psychiatrist, Dr Moosajee Bhamjee told The Clare People : “the drop in confirmed suicides is a good sign, but we cannot be complacent and it is too early to identify a trend.
Dr Bhamjee added: “suicides have traditionally been underreported, while I would be very concerned at the number of single men under the age of 30 that have taken their lives.
“Anyone that is feeling suicidal should contact the Samaritans who are available 24 hours a day.”
Dr Bhamjee said that he was not surprised that all the suspected suicides were males last year. He said: “the normal ratio is four to one in favour of males.”
West Clare-based councillor, Tom Prendeville said that the largest proportion of victims coming from west Clare doesn’t come as a surprise as the area is a disadvantaged area.
“One suicide is too much and it is an area that we need to look at even further in terms of education and awareness that would allow early intervention,” he said.