Call for some money from pay parking to fund suicide prevention

A Fine Gael councillor has demanded that some proceeds from property tax and pay parking be diverted into research into suicide.

Councillor Fiona McLoughlin Healy said a significant number of people have taken their own lives in the Newbridge and Kildare Town areas in recent times.

The politician said: "Many believe the incidence of suicide to be higher in certain locations, including Rathangan and more recently Newbridge, than the national average.

"Can I request that my €5,000 from the property tax/pay parking monies [be diverted for research into the incidence of suicides in the district.

"This research will include, but is not limited to, if and why the incidence of suicide is high, why we have had so many suicides in the area and what can be done to help prevent anymore constituents living in the Kildare-Newbridge district, from getting to the point where they feel like they have no option but to take their own lives, in the future?

Cllr McLoughlin Healy will raise the issue at the next meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District on September 21.