Suicide rate in Clare half that of 2004

The number of suspected suicides in Co Clare last year was half the 2004 total. Provisional figures jointly supplied by Clare gardaí and the Co Clare coroner's office show that the number of suspected suicides last year was 10 compared to 20 in 2004.

The number is the lowest in five years - in 2003 there were 13 suicides, 12 in 2002 and 13 in 2001.

All the victims last year were male, and nine of the 10 were single. The tenth was married but separated.

The figures show that men under the age of 30 are most at risk, with five such men taking their lives. The next largest grouping is of those aged over 50, with three ending their lives.

The suicide figures show there was one man under the age of 20, one in his 30s and one in his 40s.

Six of the men hung themselves, two consumed weed killer, one shot himself and one died from carbon-monoxide poisoning.

The deaths of two people in the River Fergus last year remain "unexplained" and cannot be categorised as suicide.

The figures also show that most suicides took place in rural parts of west Clare.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Moosajee Bhamjee said yesterday: "The drop in confirmed suicides is a good sign, but we cannot be complacent and it is too early to identify a trend.

"Suicides have traditionally been under-reported, 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."

He was not surprised that all the suspected suicides last year were men. "The normal gender ratio is four-to-one in favour of males."