Victim of suicidal driver urges Min Fitzgerald to ensure Garda training on suicide – Neville

Fine Gael Party Chairperson, and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville TD, today (Wednesday), introduced Elber Twomey and her brother Thomas, to the Minister for Justice, France Fitzgerald TD. In 2012 Elber Twomey lost her husband, son and unborn daughter in Devon, when a taxi driver deliberately drove into them after writing a suicide note.

“I was pleased today to have the opportunity to introduce Elber Twomey to the Minister for Justice as she campaigns for the introduction of policies and training for Gardaí dealing with suicidal people.

“Elber is a remarkable young woman who lost her husband, Con, her young son, Oisín, and her unborn baby, Elber Marie while on holiday in Torquay. A taxi driver, who had left a suicide note, purposely veered across the dual carriageway with tragic consequences for the family.

“Since January 1st of this year, the Devon and Cornwall police have reviewed their pursuit policy in instances where suicide may be a factor. The inquest into the deaths of Con, Oisín and Elber Marie found that the actions of the police officers were, in effect, like running up to someone standing on the edge of a cliff, blowing a whistle and shouting at them to move away. In other words, training for police officers would have vastly improved the way they dealt with the driver.

“Elber is working to bring attention to the fact that at present very few Gardai in Ireland are trained in how to deal with a suicidal person, not to mention a suicidal driver.  

“As Templemore opens its doors to the first recruits in five years, I appealed to the Minister for Justice to ensure that updated training modules on suicide awareness and dealing with suicidal people, are included for the new cohort.

“Gardaí are on the front line, they are at the scene of incidents and they deliver the worst news imaginable. It is essential that we provide the Gardaí with the knowledge and support they need in dealing with these situations.

“For some time Elber has been advocating the need for increased training for Gardaí on this specialised and very sensitive issue. As a campaigner on suicide for over twenty years I passionately support Elber in her endeavour.

“Elber is adamant that she does not want to see anybody else losing their family as she has. Her thoughts are also with the wife of the driver, who she knows was suffering from mental illness.  

“The meeting today between Elber and the Minister for Justice was extremely positive and I will continue to discuss the importance of further Garda training with Minister Fitzgerald.”