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[Press Release: June 18th, 2002] DE BURCA ASSISTS BRAY SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP WITH SUBMISSION TO MINISTER FOR JUSTICEGreen Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca, attended a monthly meeting of the Bray Suicide Support group in the Esplanade Hotel last Monday to discuss the issue of the conducting of Inquests into death by suicide. The Bray Suicide Support Group was set up several years ago by local Loreto nun, Sr Sheila o Kelly, to provide support for the families and friends of those who are bereaved through suicide. Local politicians and members of the local gardai were invited to last Monday's meeting to discuss the issue of the urgent need to change the manner in which inquests into death by suicide are held."I felt it was very important to attend this meeting and to listen to the painful and difficult experiences of those who had lost loved ones through suicide" said councillor de Burca. "For too long there has been a taboo around discussing the issue of suicide and this has meant that families are left alone to cope with their grief and trauma. Unfortunately the state has not provided the necessary supports to help people during the very difficult period following the death of a family member or friend through suicide, and this is particularly obvious when one looks at the way in which the Coroner's service holds Inquests into death by suicide" she says. The Bray Suicide Support group is currently preparing a submission to the new Minister for Justice, Michael Mc Dowell, in relation to the changes that those who have been bereaved through suicide are looking for in the way that Inquests into death by suicide are held. According to councillor de Burca, the Coroner's Act is curriently being reformed by the Department for Justice and therefore the group has a very good chance to influence the new legislation. "The specific proposals which arose out of the meeting last Monday night include the proposal that inquests should not be held in courthouses, that relatives of suicide victims receive notification of the time of their specific inquests, that inquests into suicide be held at a time different to other inquests and that the procedures involved in conducting the inquest give more consideration to the devastating impact that suicide has on the bereaved family and friends" says councillor de Burca. Councillor de Burca will be assisting the Bray Suicide Support Group to put together its submission to the Department of Justice during the coming weeks. "I believe it is extremely important that the services provided by the state to those who have been bereaved through suicide should become more sensitive, humane and appropriate" says councilllor de Burca. "The input from groups such as the Bray Suicide Support Group into the new legislation is absolutely essential" she says. For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org. |