Donegal records 84 suicides over five-year period

A total of 84 people in Donegal died by suicide between 2018 and 2022, according to newly released figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The five-year figures show a relatively steady pattern with some slight fluctuations. In 2018, there were 16 deaths recorded, followed by 15 in 2019. The number rose slightly to 17 in 2020 before reaching the highest point of the five years in 2021, when 21 people died by suicide. In 2022, the figure fell again to 15, returning close to the levels seen at the beginning of the period.

Nationally, 2020 saw the highest number of female deaths by suicide in the five years, with 142 women dying by suicide that year.

Across Ireland, the five-year average for deaths by suicide between 2018 and 2022 was 526 annually. Suicide accounted for 1.6% of all deaths nationally during this time.

Cavan recorded the highest proportion, with 2.3% of all deaths attributed to suicide. Between 2018 and 2022, there were 6,433 deaths in Donegal, with 1.3% attributed to suicide. Kilkenny reported the lowest share, at 0.6%.

In 2022, a total of 500 people nationally died by suicide — 49 fewer than in 2018. People aged 40 to 44 years experienced the highest number of deaths due to suicide in 2022, with 63 deaths recorded in that cohort. More than one in ten deaths (14.6%) were among people aged 65 and over. 

Men aged 40 to 44 accounted for the largest proportion of male suicides in 2022, representing 8.8% of all deaths due to suicide.

Among women, 111 female deaths were recorded nationally that year, with those aged 40 to 44 again making up the highest share (17.1%, or 19 deaths).

The CSO notes that deaths attributed to external causes are referred to a coroner, which can lead to delays in registration. In some cases, deaths are registered much later than the standard 22-month timeframe required for inclusion in the CSO’s annual reports.

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If you, or someone you know, is impacted by this information, remember that support for your mental health is always available. Contact Samaritans on Freephone 116 123, Text HELLO to 50808, or contact Pieta – anytime, day or night.