YOUNG men under 21 years of age are at four times the risk of suicide and many are experiencing bullying and humiliation in schools and colleges.

From the Irish Independent

A worrying report says Irish youths have the fourth highest suicide rate in Europe, and the numbers taking their own lives is rising.

And the findings also show that the emergency services and gardai are often ill equiped to deal with people who are feeling suicidal, with instances of hospital emergency departments turning people away who went on to die by suicide.  

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Labour Party Deputy for Dublin North Central, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has called for the reintroduction of the ban on the below cost selling of alcohol as an interim measure to address alcohol misuse, especially among younger people.

Press Release from Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

“While we await publication of the Government’s National Alcohol Plan arising from last year’s National Substance Misuse Strategy Group report, banning below cost selling could be introduced at the stroke of a pen, without the need for new legislation.  

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IN THE LAST year, the amount of alcohol consumed in Ireland fell by 4.4 per cent.

While in the past 12 years, it declined by 20 per cent.

The amount of beer drank in the last year increased by 1.4 per cent, while cider fell by 13.6 per cent, spirits declined by 13.4 per cent and wine was down by 6.6 per cent.

From The Journal  

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A priority question from the Dáil yesterday (Tuesday) by Independent Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan:

Maureen O’Sullivan