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03/04/2007
Teenager committed suicide after battling illness
An inquest today has heard a west Belfast teenager committed suicide following a battle with cystic fibrosis and after watching members of his family commit suicide.
Stephen McComb, 19, was found dead near a house in Belfast in April 2005. He was the fourth member of the family to die in tragic circumstances in three years.
Coroner Brian Sherrard said he would be seeking fresh legislation which would allow authorities to compel attendence, after key witnesses refused to turn up.
“He had faced extreme adversities in this very short life, the like of which have overwhelmed most of us,” he said.
“He made remarkable progress and his father told me that Stephen simply would not accept his illness.”
He also said non-cooperation of witnesses had made it difficult for the young man’s family to find closure.
He said the grieving process is “vitally important” for the family and added: “They are witnesses to what has happened. If that isn’t brought out and introduced then there’s always a question mark.”
Debbie McComb, Stephen’s cousin was knocked down and killed by car thieves in March 2002.
Debbie’s brother, Michael, committed suicide in 2004. Three months later his girlfriend Fiona Bruce, 18 killed herself close to his grave.
A total of 291 people died last year from suicide with north and west Belfast having the highest rates in Western Europe.
(JM/SP)
Stephen McComb, 19, was found dead near a house in Belfast in April 2005. He was the fourth member of the family to die in tragic circumstances in three years.
Coroner Brian Sherrard said he would be seeking fresh legislation which would allow authorities to compel attendence, after key witnesses refused to turn up.
“He had faced extreme adversities in this very short life, the like of which have overwhelmed most of us,” he said.
“He made remarkable progress and his father told me that Stephen simply would not accept his illness.”
He also said non-cooperation of witnesses had made it difficult for the young man’s family to find closure.
He said the grieving process is “vitally important” for the family and added: “They are witnesses to what has happened. If that isn’t brought out and introduced then there’s always a question mark.”
Debbie McComb, Stephen’s cousin was knocked down and killed by car thieves in March 2002.
Debbie’s brother, Michael, committed suicide in 2004. Three months later his girlfriend Fiona Bruce, 18 killed herself close to his grave.
A total of 291 people died last year from suicide with north and west Belfast having the highest rates in Western Europe.
(JM/SP)
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