Pair urged to contact PSNI over murder investigation
WEST Belfast boxer Michael Conlan says the “cycle” of suicide must be broken in Northern Ireland.
The 28-year-old is taking an enforced break from the ring in the midst of the coronavirus crisis after his St Patrick’s Day bout in New York was called off.
But Conlan says there is no time to rest amidst the suicide pandemic that has swept the country since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
In the intervening years to the most recent figures in 2018, 4,937 suicides were registered in Northern Ireland — more than the 3,600 killed during the Troubles.
The statistics show a worsening curve, with over 250 registered every year since 2008 — just three years after 200 deaths was reached for the first time.
“It’s a vicious cycle which is very hard to break and that’s what I’m trying to do — I’m trying to break that cycle for the next generation,” the father-oftwo told Boxing Scene.
“To see my kids seeing this kind of thing, it’s kind of normalised. It’s happened so much and then they have the big funerals and stuff, because they’re young kids and they’ve got all the friends and families who want to show support, but at the same time it kind of glamorises it and I don’t like that.
“So many friends and people I know have committed suicide. A lot of young kids, and it’s like a domino effect. When one person does it, more people do it.”
Of the 307 suicides registered here in 2018, 92 were in Conlan’s home city of Belfast.
“It’s a lot of things,” he said, struggling to explain the figures.
“There’s obviously post-traumatic stress feeding down through families from the Troubles and it got bigger and bigger and bigger with more deaths each year. That’s partly something to do with it.
“Maybe the poverty, the healthcare, there are so many reasons why it’s very hard to pinpoint one. It’s a scary thing.”
More than £80m has been spent on suicide prevention in Northern Ireland since 2006, with £10m made available for mental health provisions in the 18/19 budget, but the boxer has been campaigning for greater action to be taken.
In January, Conlan organised an open letter to Health Minister Robin Swann following the return of Stormont’s institutions.
Fellow fighters Carl Frampton, Paddy Barnes and Steven Ward also signed the letter, along with the likes of Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody.
“I’ve seen the effects on the people left behind. I broke down crying once or twice in front of the families I was talking to because it does really break my heart seeing my people affected the way they’ve been affected. It’s one of the most heart-wrenching things you’ll see,” Conlan added.
If you are impacted by any of the issues in this story contact the Samaritans on 116123 or Lifeline on 080 8808 8000
DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a man in Ballymena are trying to trace a man and woman who may hold information on the crime.
Inayat Shah (67), who ran the Traveller’s Rest at Galgorm Road, was stabbed to death on Saturday.
A 51-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with Mr Shah’s murder.
In a fresh appeal for information, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery said police were particularly keen to trace two people.
“Our investigation into the murder of Inayat Shah continues and I would like to make a specific appeal at this time to a man and woman who spoke with security staff at the front sangar of Ballymena PSNI station on Saturday afternoon,” he said.
“The man and woman, who were accompanied by a small child, spoke briefly to security at around 3.30pm.”
Anyone with information on the murder can contact detectives at Seapark on 101 quoting reference 863 of 21/03/20, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.