The family of Caoilte O Broin will hold a silent candlelight vigil in his memory outside Government buildings on 11 February.
Caoilte’s body was taken from the Liffey on 2 January, a death his family believe was entirely avoidable.
One month previously on JOE, his sister Cat wrote a heart-breaking account of Caoilte’s life dealing with episodes of psychosis. To protect her brother, she chose to remain anonymous.
Caoilte’s family are determined that his death is not in vain.
JOE spoke to Shane Gillen, Cat O Broin’s fiancé about their plans.
Hi Shane, thanks very much for talking to us, what have you planned?
On 11 February – just over one month on from when we found Caoilte – we are arranging a silent candlelight vigil in his memory outside Government buildings.
Why a silent vigil?
With Caoilte’s passing, we may never get any answers as to why this happened. We feel that nobody should needlessly die of mental illness in Ireland in this day and age, and that something must be done on a legislative level to – at the very least – ensure that no family in Ireland suffer the overwhelming systemic failures that we did. By having a vigil in silence, we stand strong in not pointing or laying the blame on anyone. That is not a fight for now.
For so long, we are told to talk about our mental health, that it’s OK not to feel OK, that we should speak out… We have spoken out, but what’s the point in speaking out if no-one is there to listen? The silent vigil is about peaceful remembrance, presence, support and listening.
Why this location?
We have chosen Government buildings because we are seeking legislative changes and mental health reform. The general election is upcoming, and we want to make mental health an election issue. We have been told it isn’t an election issue because it’s “not coming up on the doorsteps”… So now we’re coming to their doorsteps.
What’s your message to the government?
There are 5 key recommendations that we – together with Dual Diagnosis Ireland and Mental Health Reform – are planning to lobby for.
I also have some suggestions that are more pertinent to our specific case, and any other family who have been going through something similar.
How can people help and get involved?
People can show solidarity and speak out. The amount of people who have gotten in touch with us to say that they are or have been in a similar situation has been overwhelming.
We would encourage as many people as possible to come and support us, share their stories of mental health difficulties that they’ve suffered, and ensure that they speak to every politician who comes to their doors during the election.
What should people bring or wear?
If people have candles, please do bring them. We will also provide some. Wear a coat, it will most likely be cold. We will make sure that it doesn’t go on for too long, so if people could be there at 7pm sharp outside Government buildings that would be great.
We will distribute smiling face masks and we will encourage everyone to wear them. When speaking about the event online, we would encourage everyone to use the hashtag #AnyonesBrother.
The masks represent how we as a society have quite a long way to come in terms of defeating the stigma around mental health, and how we often put on a front or mask our problems.
How are you and Cat (Caoilte’s sister)?
Not great. It all feels very surreal. The past year has been hell.
It’s only now that we’re beginning to be able to look back on it and see how extreme it all was. Our immediate concerns are for Cat’s younger teenage brother, and for any other family going through anything similar.
Are there more actions planned for 2016 in memory of Caoilte?
In time, I’m sure we will plan more. The election is the main thing. We need legislative change.
We are in talks with Mental Health Reform and Dual Diagnosis Ireland about what we can do in Caoilte’s name.
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