Madam, - I refer to the report "Communities the key to solving rural male suicide, seminar told", in your edition of August 29th.
Perhaps it could also be added that the severity of the drink driving laws, which have led to the demise of the rural pub, has added significantly to the feeling of isolation felt by people living in the countryside, and thus may be contributing to the increase in the suicide rate.
This would appear to be acknowledged by Dr Anne Cleary of UCD, who is quoted as saying that Mediterranean countries with a slower pace of life - where having a siesta or sharing a glass of wine with a neighbour was the norm - had fewer suicides.
Is it not time to consider that the drink-driving laws which are supposed to reduce deaths on the roads may actually be contributing to the increased suicide rate? - Yours, etc,
PATRICK J. PYNE,
Castleowen,
Blarney,
Co Cork.