LETTER: Family expresses its appreciation

SIR – In the past week, the Fahy family of Skibbereen suffered another devastating loss with the second death by suicide in the space of a little over eight weeks. Steven Fahy (21) died at his own hand in the early hours of Tuesday, June 28th. 

A young man, who was acknowledged by all who knew him as an extraordinarily likable and outgoing person, who was endowed with many gifts of good character, good humour, respect for his peers and older, good communication skills and a sharp mind that readily understood technology and who shared his abilities with his friends, but above all, a love of his family and all associated with him. If Steven had a weakness in his makeup, it was his keen sensitivity to the problems of others which he took to heart as his own and which often left him in a state of depression. 

His undoubted popularity was evident with the huge numbers who attended his removal and packed the church for his funeral mass on Saturday. Many hundreds, if not thousands, expressed their condolences to his  distraught father and mother,  Billy and Shirley, and his brothers Kevin, Gary and Jason and all of the extended Fahy family at the obsequies and at their home.

The family were heartened and so grateful for the enormous response to their plea for help when it was realised that Steven was missing. It would be unfair to mention individuals or organisations that took part in the search and provided services, because everybody who attended and worked in the background gave of their utmost to help locate Steven, but sadly the search and rescue became a recovery when his body was located on Wednesday. 

A major factor that helped to assemble the searchers was the coverage of the call for assistance provided by the online edition of The Southern Star and the interviews with Billy carried by c103 and Red FM. 

Nothing that could be said here could adequately express the family’s deep appreciation for the love and concern shown to them in every way by all over these heartbreaking days.

The family hope that this display of love and concern shown by the public will help those that ever contemplate suicide that they are not alone, that their problems are never insurmountable and that there are a large number of people and organisations who are ready and so willing to help them and spare their families the devastation and worry and unjustified feelings of guilt that takes over their lives with the loss of a loved one in this tragic way. 

They plead that Steven’s death would be the end rather than a continuation of this loss of beautiful lives and family heartache into the future.

Frank Fahy on behalf 

of the Fahy family,

Skibbereen.