SVP president: We should support Wexford service
KITTY HYNES, president of the Wexford Society of the St Vincent de Paul met Console founder Paul Kelly when he came to town to organise the leasing of the Francis Street premises where the local suicide prevention and support centre is based.
‘I was shocked when I heard the news. I found him to be a real gentleman,’ said Kitty.
‘I met him when the transaction to rent the building was going on. When the new Women’s Refuge opened in Distillery Road, our hostel for homeless women was no longer needed. Console needed it so we agreed to rent it to them.’
‘We were delighted as a society to be able to do something to help people who are bereaved by suicide.’
‘He was very charming and seemed very caring. I couldn’t believe it when I heard what had been happening. If anyone had told me, I would have said that’s not true. He really took me in,’ said Kitty.
‘He spoke to us about his reasons for setting up Console, how he had lost his sister through sui- cide when she was 21. He spoke to us about that and how the family was devastated by the loss.’
Kitty said she hopes people won’t stop donating to the service locally. ‘Suicide is so prevalent we need the likes of Console. I don’t need to remind anyone about the problem of suicide in Wexford,’ she said.
‘Certainly the Wexford service deserves to be supported. The man they have there at the moment, Denis O’Connor, is doing a fantastic job,’ said Kitty.
The SVP president said scandals such as the one which has beset Console make it difficult for all charities ‘ because it’s hard for people to trust when they see what’s happening’.
‘Having said that, the St Vincent de Paul Society is 200 years in Wexford and we’ve never had any problems here,’ she added.