Irish suicide rate on rise

By Andrew Bushe

DUBLIN — There were 448 suicides in Ireland last year and the rate of suicide has increased by 8 percent since 1990, according to the Samaritans.

New figures from the charity show that suicides by young men have increased by 79 percent since 1989.

There were almost four times as many male suicides: 356 men killed themselves during the year compared to 92 women.

Overall, the average suicide rate was 14 percent 100,000. For males it was 23 per 100,000 and for females five per 100,000.

The highest suicide rate among men was 30 per 100,000 in the 15-24 year age group, while the highest female rate was six per 100,00 within the 35-45 and 55-64 year old age groups.

Alcohol and substance misuse are blamed as significant contributing factors in the dramatic rise in the rate of suicide by young men.

Other contributory factors included unemployment, social isolation, recent interpersonal life events and difficulties with parents, peers or partners.