LETTERKENNY has been confirmed as the location for a new ‘Pieta House’ suicide and self-harm crisis centre for Donegal which is due to open next summer.
The first Pieta House was founded in Lucan, County Dublin in 2006. With nine centres throughout Ireland, it provides a professional, one-to-one therapeutic service for those who are experiencing suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harm. The nearest one to Donegal is in Tuam, County Galway.
A spokesman for the ‘Action for Hope’ committee, which was only set up in January to raise awareness and funding for the project, told the Donegal News it is currently looking for a suitable premises in the Cathedral Town.
Mr Danny Devlin also paid tribute to the people of Donegal for helping to make their plans a reality, having raised more than the €200,000 target in just nine months.
He said the committee recently had a meeting with representatives of Pieta House in relation to the advancement of a service for the north west.
“Resulting from the meeting, Pieta House have stated that they will be setting up facilities in Letterkenny where they will commence their service,” he said.
“It is envisaged that an outreach service will also be developed that will be more convenient for service users at all locations in the Northwest. Pieta House are now seeking a suitable premises in the Letterkenny area in order to commence the service. In order to maximise the amount of funds we can spend on therapeutic hours, it is hoped that a suitable premises could be acquired at the minimum of cost, or even for free.”
Mr Devlin said there will be a number of factors involved in selecting a suitable premises, such as planning permissions, location, wheelchair accessibility and car parking facilities.
He said the committee felt Letterkenny was the most suitable location in the centre of the county and due to the fact that it is well serviced by public transport.
He explained that, for the last nine months, all their time and energy was spent trying to raise the necessary €200,000.
However, he said the committee was firmly focussed on getting a suitable premises and having the service up and running as soon as possible.
If anyone out there feels that they can offer a suitable premises or knows of someone who might, the committee would be delighted to hear from you.
You can send a private message via the ‘Action for Hope’ Facebook page, email actionforhope1@gmail.com with your contact details or call the Pieta House West office in Galway on 093 25596.
A bank account has also been set up to accept donations for Pieta House north west project. This AIB account, which is under the control of Pieta House, is IBAN : IE03 AIBK 9335 6228 0734 86. BIC : AIBKIE2D
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)