Hundreds of people last night attended a public candlelight vigil in Dublin to remember those who have lost their lives through suicide. Ali Bracken reports.
The hour-long vigil was held in the forecourt of the Bank of Ireland, College Green, and was organised by the charity 3Ts (Turning The Tide of Suicide).
The vigil included a candle ceremony, a minute's silence and music by the CIÉ Male Voice Choir and Odeon quartet.
RTÉ sports presenter Des Cahill made an address and lit the first candle on behalf of the families who have lost loved ones through suicide.
"Tonight is about respect and remembrance. Four hundred and fifty-seven people sadly died through suicide in 2004. Fifty per cent of those were people under 25. I'm lighting a candle on behalf of all the families who cannot be here tonight," he said.
The vigil, which began at 9pm, was timed to take place in advance of World Suicide Prevention Day tomorrow.
3Ts, in association with UCD, has also announced plans to conduct a major national survey of more than 1,000 families bereaved by suicide.
"We are trying to recreate the psychological profile of those who have been lost," said Prof Kevin Malone, head of the department of Psychiatry and Mental Health research at St Vincent's Hospital. Those interested in taking part in the survey are asked to log on to www.3ts.ie or call 01-209-4228.