The State's most common suicide locations will be identified in an initiative by Irish Water Safety and the Samaritans which aims to dissuade people from taking their own lives.
Stickers giving the Samaritans helpline will be posted on the coastline and on riverbanks over the next few months
Statistics issued by Irish Water Safety confirm that more people are still drowning by suicide than accidentally. Last year, 76 people committed suicide in the water, while 62 drowned accidentally.
IWS estimates that there are about 16 known areas for suicides and suicide attempts, extending from the Boyne bridges in Co Louth, to the DúLaoghaire piers, the rivers Slaney, Co Wexford, Lee in Cork, Shannon in Limerick and the midlands, and the Corrib in Co Galway.
Most occur from late November to St Patrick's Day. In the 10 years to 2002, there were 968 drownings by suicide and 713 accidental drownings here, according to an IWS analysis. Its chief executive, Lieut Cmdr John Leech, said yesterday: "We average 95 suicides by drowning every year, which eclipses the average accidental drowning figure of 71."
Irish Water Safety is asking people who find themselves in these circumstances to contact the Samaritans helpline 1850 609090.
