Shane O'Connor inquest returns death by suicide verdict

A verdict of death by suicide has been returned in the inquest into the death of singer Sinead O'Connor’s son, Shane.

The body of the 17-year-old was discovered in a secluded area just outside Bray, Co Wicklow on 7 January, 2022.

The inquest into Shane O’Connor’s death heard that the teenager had gone missing the previous day from Tallaght University Hospital where he was being treated for a drug overdose.

He was supposed to be under 24/7 supervised care as a high-risk patient at the time, but the coroner was told challenges posed by Covid-19 restrictions meant this did not happen.

The inquest heard that 15% of staff were out of work with the infection at the time and there was no healthcare assistant available on the morning he left the hospital.

Shane’s father, musician Donal Lunny, and staff from New Beginnings, a care centre he had been living in, had been helping with the supervision but they had to stop when Mr Lunny tested positive for Covid and Shane was considered a close contact.

Prior to his admission, Shane had been under the care of Tusla and had been residing at New Beginnings in Newbridge, Co Kildare, after living with his mother until the age of 11.

Aoife Scanlon, manager of New Beginnings, described Shane as "so intelligent, so smart".

"It was an honour to work with him, I’m grateful to have known him, he was a lovely, lovely lad," she said.

Shane O’Connor had been admitted to the Linn Dara in-patient psychiatric unit at Cherry Orchard Hospital in Ballyfermot, Dublin, on six occasions between February 2020 and December 2021 with mental health issues and cannabis induced psychosis.

A juror said he had heard evidence of cannabis use being a major factor and asked if Shane was allowed to smoke it.

Ms Scanlon said a young person can’t be physically stopped but staff at New Beginnings had worked on trying to discourage him.

Another juror asked how Shane got access to the cannabis and money to buy it when he received €10 - €15 in pocket money a week.

There were some emotional exchanges between Shane O’Connor’s family who were present, including his grandfather Sean O’Connor and sister Roisin Waters.

Dr Gallagher was told Shane had great love for his family and spending time with his family and getting his own place was all he wanted.

The coroner was told Shane had a "turbulent and complex" relationship with his mother, but they loved each other very much.

The partner of Shane’s half-brother Jake Reynolds, who had fostered him for a period, asked how Shane could be allowed to be out unsupervised in Dublin city centre or in Bray for 12 hours a day.

Becoming emotional, Lia Bepco said it was "crazy".

Aoife Scanlon replied: "It’s an open unit ...the door is open, it’s not locked."

She said those in their care can leave at any time and come back, but she said they try to have as much structure as possible.

Ms Scanlon said Shane would have been driven to where he wanted to go in order to have some control, adding that it was better to know where he was going as he would have made his own way otherwise.

She said New Beginnings would discuss in consultation with Tusla what plans should be put in place.

The coroner was told Shane was concerned about what would happen to him when he turned 18 the following March.

Dr Tara Rudd, a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, said "he was a young person that was struggling, struggling coming to the age of 18" when the supports would be taken from him, and he would go under the adult services.

"Everything leaves them at the age of 18," she said.

The coroner was told an after-care plan was being worked on at the time and there was a court hearing in relation to that on the day Shane’s body was found.

The jury was handed the charge sheet at 3.30pm and returned shortly before 5pm with a verdict and a number of recommendations including protocols in HSE hospitals for close supervision and enhanced care for vulnerable people, in particular children.

Coroner Dr Crona Gallagher said the coroner's court is all too aware of the devastation this has on the family and wider circle of friends.

She said he suffered in his short life but it was hoped he would get through this crisis and build the life he wanted for himself.

She said she can only imagine the shock that the family must still feel today as they approach what should be his 21st birthday next March.

For anyone affected by this coverage, helplines are available here...