Newly published figures from the CSO show that between 2018 and 2022, Ireland saw an annual average of 526 suicides.

During those years, suicides represented 1.6% of all registered deaths nationwide.

In 2022, there were 500 recorded suicides. Of these, 389 were males (77.8%), while 111 (22.2%) were females.

People aged 40-44 accounted for the largest share that year: men in this age bracket made up 8.8% of all suicide deaths.

Overall, 63 individuals in the 40-44 group died by suicide in 2022.

Older adults also featured prominently. In 2022, 14.6% of all suicide deaths involved people aged 65 and over, up from 12.5% the previous year.

CSO records also highlight that the Covid-19 pandemic year of 2020 had the highest number of female suicide deaths within the 2018–2022 window, with 142 women losing their lives to suicide that year.

The CSO notes that fatalities resulting from external causes are referred to a coroner, which can delay registration with the General Register Office. In some instances, registrations may fall well beyond the usual 22-month timeframe for compiling the Vital Statistics Annual Reports.

At a local level, Cavan recorded the highest proportion of deaths due to suicide, at 2.3%, while Kilkenny had the lowest share, at 0.6%.

Reacting to the figures, Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke gave her “deepest sympathies” to those affected, describing the scale of the problem as “deeply distressing and totally unacceptable.”

“These numbers are not just statistics, they represent mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, colleagues,” she said.

“Behind each number is a human being and a grieving family and community.

“These latest figures are a stark reminder that we cannot become complacent even when we see small year on year decreases. 500 lives lost is a national tragedy. Just one life lost is one too many.”