Suicide in Cork and Ireland.

The official suicide rate in Ireland increased markedly between 1970 and 1985. This is genuine increase in suicide and not an apparent one due to previous deficiencies in recording practices. Possible reasons for this change include an increase in 'anomie' shown by a rise in the rates of crime, illegitimacy and admissions to hospital for alcoholism, a decline in social cohesion revealed by a fall in the marriage rate and a rise in the number of separated couples, and an increase in unemployment.