Inquest Hears Cork Father Who Died by Suicide Was ‘Failed by System

St. Stephen’s Hospital Care and Ligature Concerns

Mr. Kenny had been transferred from St. Stephen’s Hospital in Cork city to Cork University Hospital after being found unresponsive by staff, according to the inquest. Coroner Philip Comyn expressed concern during the proceedings that although a psychiatrist at St. Stephen’s had ordered the removal of all potential ligature items from Mr. Kenny, he was placed in a ward where five other patients still had access to those items. According to the coroner, this circumstance amounted to an “exercise in futility,” though the inquest heard no evidence that items were taken from other patients. Coroner Comyn recorded a verdict of death by suicide and commended the Kenny family for their “heroic” efforts on behalf of Ray.

Family Frustrations and Medication Concerns

Cara Kenny told the inquest that her late husband “loved his life” and wanted to get better to return home permanently, though he felt a strong aversion to being at St. Stephen’s Hospital. According to Mrs. Kenny, her husband experienced significant frustration regarding his treatment, stating that his mind felt muddled due to continuous changes in his medication. She noted that he had been taken off a medication that previously helped him manage depression and that he felt he was making no progress. In response, treating psychiatrist Dr. Grozdana Lalevic stated at the inquest that the specific medication had not proved helpful to the patient, adding that Mr. Kenny had undergone risk assessments and that medication decisions were discussed and agreed upon with him.

Timeline of Events Preceding the Death

Mr. Kenny’s medical history included successful treatment for mental health difficulties between 2015 and 2016 in Dublin, which had allowed him to remain stable for nine years until his condition deteriorated in March 2025, according to his wife’s testimony. After seeking help from his general practitioner and Cork University Hospital, he was admitted to St. Stephen’s Hospital on March 27, 2025, released on April 3, and readmitted on April 22 where he stayed until his death. On the morning of May 25, 2025, Cara Kenny sent a text message and subsequently called the hospital after receiving no response. A staff member informed her at 10:58 a.m. that Mr. Kenny was in good form and looking forward to upcoming day leave, and a follow-up call shortly after resulted in a nurse stating he was resting after morning medication. At 11:30 a.m., the on-call doctor contacted Mrs. Kenny to inform her that her husband had been found unresponsive and was being transferred to Cork University Hospital, where he died the following day.