‘There is help out there’

SEEK HELP The family of the late Martin McHale have called on people who are suicidal to seek help.

Family of Murrisk man who died by suicide urges people who are struggling to seek help


Anton McNulty

THE family of a Murrisk man who took his own life have urged people who have personal problems or suicidal thoughts to seek help and not hide their emotions.
Martin McHale (60), a taxi-driver, of Carrowkeeran, Murrisk, Westport, and also of Ballinrobe Road, Westport, was found dead by his son in the back of his mini-bus on May 14, 2019. The inquest into his death, which took place yesterday (Monday) in Castlebar Courthouse, heard that he took his own life and died as a result of asphyxia due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The inquest heard that Mr McHale and his wife had recently separated, but his son John, who found the body of his father, said that his father was in good form and did not seem out of sorts when he spoke to him just two days before his death.
In a statement read by Mr Myles Staunton, solicitor for the McHale family, they said that Martin was a hard worker and good humoured and they never suspected that he was suicidal.
“He is missed every hour of every day by his family and friends. We are urging anybody who has personal problems in their lives or suicidal thoughts, not to keep them hidden, as there is help out there. They should discuss their problems with people they can trust, like their family or their GP, Pieta House, Family Centre Castlebar or the 24 hour helpline at the Samaritans (116 123).
“If Martin’s death prevented even one suicide and spared one family the grief and heartbreak that we are going through since his death we feel that it would be one step towards reducing the number of suicides in this country and it was worthwhile making this statement,” the statement read.
Mr McHale was well-known in the Westport area through his work as a bus driver, tour guide and mechanic and for charity fundraising as well as his involvement in cycling and running.
Josephine McHale, sister of Martin McHale, said she spoke to him the evening before he died and he was in good form. She said she had given him numbers of counsellors to call following his marriage break-up, but he said he had not yet had the chance to call them.
Patrick O’Connor extended his sympathies to the McHale family, and he commended them for making their statement, saying it is not often a family in their position is as brave and caring for others.