Mayo inquest told of "almost unprecedented" suicide rate last January

Three young Mayo men took their own lives during a tragic period of a number of days last January, an inquest sitting in the county today heard.

The unrelated deaths were described by the Coroner for the District of Mayo, Pat O'Connor, as "almost unprecedented" and "dreadfully traumatic" for the community.

Coroner O' Connor described the frequency and manner of the deaths as "beyond comprehension."

Sympathising with the families he said nobody had the answers as to why the victims had so acted.

He thanked the gardai and first responders who had to witness traumatic scenes at the location of self-inflicted tragedies.

Sergeant Paul Connolly, on behalf of An Garda Siochana, joined the coroner in expressing sympathy to the bereaved families.