A priest has slammed the HSE for the lack of help given to his
stepfather, who took his own life after being turned away by psychiatric
services.The 66-year-old had been suffering from depression since the death of his wife Margaret three years ago.
A garda managed to take Paddy from the River Swilly at Port Bridge, but he died a number of days later in hospital.
He had spent time at the psychiatric unit at Letterkenny General Hospital and recently his family brought him to the hospital again seeking help.
But the hospital turned Paddy away citing cuts to the HSE budget and lack of places at the local psychiatric unit and told his family “he’s fine.”
Two weeks later, however, he jumped in the river. He died later in hospital.
Hundreds of people gathered for Paddy’s funeral at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny to hear his stepson, Fr Kevin Mulhearn, question the assistance given to Paddy in his hour of need.
“Surely this should not happen in the Ireland of today, but it does and it did happen,” said Fr Mulhearn. “If I went to casualty tonight with a broken arm I would be seen right away and given the care I needed.
“Why is it not available in the same way to those who are severely suffering from depression and in need of help. Where is the sympathy of God in this?
“Why should Paddy, after spending all evening sitting in a casualty department, have to be sent home, having been told ‘he’s fine — just keep an eye on him’, while giving his daughter and son-in-law a lecture on health cuts.”
Fr Mulhearn said Paddy’s daughters and grandchildren were struggling to find answers to his death.
But he said people should not shirk away from the subject of suicide any longer.
“The word suicide is no longer taboo, with over 500 recorded suicides per year,” said Fr Mulhearn. “It is a new cancer that has visited and affected the lives and homes of thousands upon thousands of people on this island of Ireland.
“We don’t know where it will strike of who the next victim will be. “Never in 100 years would most of us thought that Paddy McElroy could have died this way.
“Paddy the gentleman, big loveable giant, the most civil man you could ever meet. Paddy, who could enjoy the company of a 5-year-old, a 30-year-old, or a 90-year-old with his infectious laugh, storytelling and joyful rascality.”