Sir, - Ireland has lost a great friend as a result of the recent death of John Cardinal O'Connor. In so many ways he championed those causes dear to his heart in a truly committed fashion. In the past two years, the cardinal took a specific interest in the rising youth suicide problem in Ireland. In late 1998, he generously agreed to become the founding patron of the Ireland Chapter of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention (AFSP). He had accepted an invitation to visit the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin, to be in attendance at the official launch of AFSP Ireland, and to address a conference for bereaved survivors being organised by AFSP Ireland later this year.
He spoke passionately about his concern for youth suicide both publicly at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, and the US launch of AFSP Ireland in the Mutual of America headquarters on Park Ave, New York, in 1998. Regrettably, due to his ill health in the past six months prior to his death, he was unable to fulfil his commitments.
His final message to AFSP Ireland was to offer his blessing, and to "know that what you do is of the most vital importance", with further words of encouragement to continue a sustained campaign as part of Ireland's efforts to reduce youth suicide over the coming decades, through research, education, and support of bereaved survivors. - Yours, etc.
Dr Kevin Malone, Director, Ireland Chapter, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Mater Hospital, Eccles Street, Dublin 7.