Suicide in Cork and Ireland

Abstract
The official suicide rate in Ireland increased markedly between 1970 and 1985. This is a genuine increase in suicide and not an apparent one due to previous deficiencies in recording practices. Possible reasons for this change include an increase in‘anomie’shown by a rise in the rates of crime, illegitimacy and admissions to hospital for alcoholism, a decline in social cohesion revealed by a fall in the marriage rate and a rise in the number of separated couples, and an increase in unemployment.