Clinton to launch new suicide prevention programme in Dublin

Former US president Bill Clinton will launch a new suicide prevention programme in Dublin today.

Mr Clinton, who was scheduled to arrive in Dublin early this morning, will speak for 40 minutes at the "gala banquet" organised by RehabCare. Though RehabCare did not have sight of Mr Clinton's speech over the weekend, organisers confirmed he was expected to refer to the fallout from the general election in the North earlier this month.

Over 1,000 people will attend the banquet at the Citywest Hotel, at a cost of €500 a head. Raffle tickets at €100 each will be on sale as well.

Angela Kerins, chairwoman of RehabCare, would not confirm reports that Mr Clinton is being paid €100,000 for speaking at tonight's event.

"RehabCare is not paying a cent to the president. We are not paying anything. There are a number of sponsors paying for various things. Sponsors are paying for the wine, for the food. So all the money raised at the event will be going into the suicide programme."

She said it was hoped €500,000 would be raised tonight, though €1.3 million was needed to roll out the new programme.

"We want to change the culture were young men find it difficult to talk about their feelings. RehabCare has been involved in a significant piece of research, and the latest figures, from 2003, showed 444 people committed suicide and there were 11,200 attempted suicides."