CSO Suicide Mortality Statistics Liaison Group Small Group Meeting
Via Zoom
Tuesday January 25th, 2022 at 12.30pm
Present: Crona Gallagher, Laura Galligan, Aidan Minnock, Paul Corcoran, Niall McTernan
Proposed change to the suicide category in An Gárda Siochána Pulse System
Superintendent Aidan Minnock and Laura Galligan presented to the group on proposed changes to An Garda Síochána Pulse System.
Discussion in relation to processes involved and death categorisation within An Garda Síochána and the Coroner service, covering person misadventure and suicide definitions, self-inflicted deaths classification, motive/intent, sudden and unknown deaths, and open verdicts
Consensus that inclusion of ‘suspected suicide’ category is warranted.
Dr Gallagher indicated support for the proposed change.
Dr Gallagher provided examples where interpretation of misadventure, self-inflicted, suspected suicide deaths is challenging.
Dr Gallagher expressed interest in reviewing and providing feedback on the proposed Pulse System categories and to facilitate such feedback from members of the Coroner’s Society.
It was highlighted that the categories need to be meaningful to the users of the Pulse System and large numbers of deaths being categorised as sudden deaths must be addressed.
Action points:
Share list of proposed new categories for Coroner review/feedback
