Local councillors ‘available’ for people to talk

Condolences were shared to families after a “vast number of suicides” of late in the Ballyjamesduff MD area.

Cllr Shane P O’Reilly (II) said the six councillors, himself, Cllr Winston Bennett (FG), Cllr Philip Brady (FF), Cllr Noel Connell (SF), Cllr Trevor Smith (FG) and Cllr TP O’Reilly are available should any members of the community find themselves in a low place and wish to reach out and speak to them.

“The six of us are available,” he urged, adding that “you’re not alone”.

He paid tribute to SOSAD, which offers support services in the area every Monday. However, he also mentioned that the Department has “let them down” with regards to funding.

Suicide intervention and bereavement support charity SOSAD closed their messaging service on Tuesday, March 4, due to a lack of funding.

The organisation had been struggling in recent months with a lack of resources and an increased demand on their services, including in Cavan.

“We have to ask the Department to step up,” Cllr O’Reilly said.

Speaking on the recent bereavements in the area, Cllr T.P. O’Reilly stated that the situation is “very sad” and shared his condolences to the affected families.

There was unanimous support for asking the Department to ensure more funding goes towards SOSAD and suicide support services.