By Jonathan Magee
A BRAVE Letterkenny woman who lost her sister to suicide took part in the annual Darkness into Light walk before dawn on Saturday – and experienced a chance encounter that left all involved deeply moved.
Speaking to the Donegal News ahead of dawn, Leonie Gallagher said she had come forward to highlight the supports available to those affected by suicide or self-harm.
“I’m taking part in the Darkness into Light walk today to honour my sister Fiona – and everyone who has lost someone – and to support the incredible work of Pieta House,” she said.
After the walk, Leonie pulled out some chairs for a couple she had never met before.
Something led her to speak to them – and she discovered that they too had lost a daughter to suicide, 11 years ago.
“To sit with complete strangers and end up sharing stories about our loss – mine from a sister’s perspective and theirs from a parent’s perspective – was just an incredibly emotional and powerful moment for us all.
“Two families, connected through love, loss, and healing.
“Some meetings in life are simply meant to happen,” she said.
It is almost ten years since Leonie lost her sister Fiona Doherty (née Gallagher) in 2016.
Fiona, a former Letterkenny Gaels senior player, is honoured each year through the Fiona Doherty Memorial Cup – an U14 girls’ football competition that the club has hosted since 2019.
Leonie Gallagher and Coco walk from Darkness into Light last Saturday.
Principal of St Columba’s College, Stranorlar, Tom Rowan, attended with teacher Andrena Cowan and a group of senior pupils as part of the school’s wellbeing programme.
“In the school we are promoting the importance of positive mental health, and we’re here to stand with people that have been affected by bereavements of all types,” Mr Rowan said.
Ms Cowan added: “We wanted to be together as a group from St Columba’s and show the importance of community and encouraging people – there’s a lovely atmosphere here this morning, it’s very welcoming and engaging.”
Pupils from St Columba’s College, Stranorlar, with principal Tom Rowan and teaching staff, at Letterkenny Darkness into Light.
Paula Coyle, coordinator of the Letterkenny walk and clinical services manager for Pieta Northwest, spoke candidly about the funding pressures facing mental health services in Donegal.
“They are really underfunded and all mental health charities are unfortunately.
“It doesn’t seem to be a top tier priority in the country and without events like this, the reality is that Pieta would not be able to keep its doors open,” she said.
Paula, who was part of the original Action For Hope committee that brought Pieta to Donegal, said the need in the area was evident from her very first days working there – “and that was still only the tip of the iceberg”.
“It’s so badly needed, services are underfunded.
“The beauty of Pieta as well is that it is a free service – there’s no barriers – it’s totally accessible for everyone,” she said.
Paula outlined Pieta’s range of services, including face-to-face therapy and online and phone support – vital given transport difficulties across the county for some.
She also noted that a significant strand of Pieta’s work involved offering therapy for those bereaved by suicide, “and sadly in this county that’s quite high,” she said.
As dawn broke over Letterkenny, the community had united once more – in solidarity, in remembrance, and in hope.
Pieta can be contacted at 1800 247 247 or by texting HELP to 51444. All services are free of charge.