

SADLY MISSED?The late Kevin Stenson

Seek help says heartbroken brother and son





A Castlebar man who lost his father and brother to suicide in the last two months has made a powerful and emotional appeal calling on people to seek help if they are feeling low.

John Gerard Stenson spoke last Wednesday at the funeral Mass for his brother Kevin.

Kevin, aged 26, took his own life in the early hours of Monday morning of last week in Salthill, Galway. Their father, John, took his own life life after going missing in Salthill last March.

John’s body was recovered from the sea in Donegal after weeks of searches while Kevin’s body was found at Salthill on Monday morning.

John Gerard told the congregation at his brother’s funeral Mass in the Church of the Holy Rosary in Castlebar that he wanted to convey the destruction a death by suicide causes a family. He appealed to anyone who was suffering from depression to seek help, so that another family would not have to go through what his family has gone through.

John Gerard said the family’s hearts were broken and they would never get over this.

Kevin Stenson was a very popular member of the community in Castlebar and played football with Castlebar Mitchels and soccer with Castlebar Celtic and Snugboro United, playing as a goalkeeper.

He is mourned by his mother Rose and brothers John Gerard, David and Conor.

Helplines: Console 1800 247247; One Life 1800 247 100.