Alcohol is a factor in over half of all suicides in Ireland. And drink is a factor in 41% of all self-harm incidents in this country.

And the majority of young men who commit suicide are intoxicated at the time.

Suzanne Costello, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland provided a startling picture last week of the part that drink plays in the mind of a young person before they attempt to commit suicide.

Addressing delegates at the Lifeline (County Kilkenny Suicide Prevention) seminar to mark World Suicide Prevention Day in Butler House, Kilkenny she quoted psychiatrist, Dr Bobby Smith who researched the issue and garnered evidence from young people who survived suicide attempts while under the influence.