TRIBUTE… Paul Monaghan
THE MOTHER of a 22-year-old man who was found dead on Saturday in Enniskillen, having taken his own life, has spoke of her devastation, and urged those going through difficulties in their life, to ‘talk to someone’.
Paul Monaghan, from Enniskillen, was found dead on Saturday at parkland near the Racecourse Lough in the Corban Avenue area, and, speaking to the Fermanagh Herald this week, his mother, Mary, described a ‘happy-go-lucky’ son whose death has left her, her family, and friends of Paul, devastated.
Paul was a past pupil of St Michael’s Primary School, Holy Trinity Primary School, St Joseph’s College, and the Integrated College. He was not working at the time.
He is survived by his mother, Mary, father, Ian, and sister Melissa. At the time of his death, Paul was living in the Cornagrade area with his partner of nine months, Bernadette, and her children.
“He was happy-go-lucky, cheerful, popular,” Mary explained, “He enjoyed the football, Manchester United, and socialising.
“We’ve had a lot of responses from people saying what a good friend he was – and that he was a good support to people.
“He had a partner, and he loved her kids as if they were his own. They were together about nine months and he absolutely adored her children, the youngest was six, and he lived with her.”
When she heard the news of her son’s death, Mary was at her place of work.
“I was just devastated. “I’m devastated that he felt that there was no other way out and maybe that there wasn’t the help available out there for him.”
Mary offered her own plea to those suffering depression or difficulties in their lives.
“I don’t know why suicide has been such a big issue here – maybe it’s that there’s no work for people, there’s no help for anyone that is suffering from depression.
“I would urge people to talk to someone, be it a relative, be it a stranger – a professional – just talk to people about your problems.”
The funeral of Paul Monaghan took place today (Wednesday) at 10am at St Michael’s Church, Enniskillen, with burial in Cross Cemetery.
If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. This is a confidential service, where trained counsellors will listen and help immediately on the phone and follow up with other support if necessary. The helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access the Lifeline website at www.lifelinehelpline.info
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