In July 2012 Francis Carey (48) from Kilkee, Co Clare, found himself standing at the edge of cliff thinking of taking his own life.
He was at an all-time low because of his addiction to alcohol and drugs. His children did not want to know him in this state and his partner had gone beyond trusting him.
Earlier that day, his brother informed him that he was in terrible trouble with the Gardai as a result of one of his bouts of aggression the night before.
“I was stoned out of my head and it all just got to me at that stage,” Francis recalled. “I drove eight miles outside the town to the cliffs and stood there looking out at the Atlantic. I wanted it all to end.
“I stood there for a long time and thankfully I didn’t take my life. I looked at the tattoos on my arms, which are pictures of my children and got sense.
“Instead I decided to go to Kilrush Day Hospital to get help. I asked to see the doctor. I just wanted him to give me an injection and get me into a hospital where I could be kept in for my own safety.
“The hospital was closed, but a nurse came to the door. I told her that I really needed help and she gave me a card with a telephone number for Ana Liffey in Limerick City.”
Rachel in Ana Liffey answered his call and Francis told her that he was in a bad way and had been standing on the cliff and just wanted to end it all. She spent two hours on the phone with him and convinced him that there was help available and that he could overcome his problems.
“We agreed that I would meet her and her friend Owen Coughlan two days later at Limerick train station,” said Francis. “And when I arrived that morning, Owen saw the state of me and got me breakfast.
Source: Dublin People, 11/11/13
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