28.10.04
Irelandclick.com
Justice for Michael
Father reveals son took his own life after sexual abuse
Local father Jim McComb has revealed that his son Michael took his own life in May because he was tormented by the memory of being raped at the age of 12.
Jim says that it is time for the truth to be told about his son’s death and the pain he had to endure as a result of the attack. The McComb family are now hoping to get justice for their dead son. After Michael’s death his broken-hearted girlfriend Fiona Barnes subsequently took her own life.
Tragically, Jim and Mary McComb have lost two children in the past two years.
Their daughter Debbie (15) was killed by death drivers in March 2002.
My son took his own life because he was abused
A grieving local father has revealed that his son was driven to take his own life because he was tormented with the memory of being raped as a 12-year-old boy.
Jim McComb’s son Michael (18) took his own life in May, unable to cope with his depression any longer. Michael’s girlfriend, Fiona Barnes, who was also 18, took her own life two months later, unable to live without Michael.
Now Michael’s heartbroken father Jim says he wants the truth about his son’s death to be told.
Jim and his wife Mary, from Glenalina Park in Ballymurphy, have been tragically robbed of two children in the past two years. Before Michael took his own life, their daughter Debbie (15) was killed by death drivers on the Upper Springfield Road in March 2002.
Jim says that Michael suffered the sexual attack at the hands of a West Belfast man in 1998 and that his son began to self-harm shortly after the attack.
“Michael self-harmed, he had no happy life since the age of 12. He cut himself from his legs to his throat,” said a distraught Jim.
“We tried, but we got no help from social workers.
“He calmed down when he was 16 and he met Fiona and they became engaged,” he added.
Jim revealed that Michael told him about the attack when his son was 15.
The teenager was in hospital at the time after another self-harming incident. Jim says that he immediately contacted Social Services and soon after a complaint was made to the PSNI.
“In 2001 when he was 15 years old, we went to New Barnsley police station and we were told that there was no child care unit there but they would be in contact with us,” said Jim.
“They never got back to us after it was reported in 2001 and then shortly after Debbie was killed,” added Jim.
On Easter Sunday this year, Michael saw the man who had attacked him. Jim says that his son then became very depressed.
“On Easter Sunday night last year he went out and came face-to-face with his abuser,” said Jim.
“That night he told me that he had had enough. Michael went to the police and made a statement. He said that he was afraid that this man would do this to someone else.
“I was interviewed and so was Michael,” he added.
Jim says that his son became more depressed as the weeks wore on after the complaint was made.
He says his son was increasingly frustrated and angry that the case was not being investigated more quickly.
“Me and Michael’s mother are here now to fight Michael and Fiona’s corner and we want justice for them,” said Jim.
“Michael was not mentally ill, he had been sexually abused.
“He was given no help.
“There have been whispers going around about Michael’s death and people don’t know the full facts, but they know the full facts now.
“This man may as well have put the noose around my son’s neck,” he added.
A man was arrested and questioned in connection with the allegations and a file is currently being considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A complaint has also been lodged with the Police Ombudsman in connection with the PSNI investigation into the case.
Journalist:: Roisin McManus
Justice for Michael
Father reveals son took his own life after sexual abuse
Local father Jim McComb has revealed that his son Michael took his own life in May because he was tormented by the memory of being raped at the age of 12.
Jim says that it is time for the truth to be told about his son’s death and the pain he had to endure as a result of the attack. The McComb family are now hoping to get justice for their dead son. After Michael’s death his broken-hearted girlfriend Fiona Barnes subsequently took her own life.
Tragically, Jim and Mary McComb have lost two children in the past two years.
Their daughter Debbie (15) was killed by death drivers in March 2002.
My son took his own life because he was abused
A grieving local father has revealed that his son was driven to take his own life because he was tormented with the memory of being raped as a 12-year-old boy.
Jim McComb’s son Michael (18) took his own life in May, unable to cope with his depression any longer. Michael’s girlfriend, Fiona Barnes, who was also 18, took her own life two months later, unable to live without Michael.
Now Michael’s heartbroken father Jim says he wants the truth about his son’s death to be told.
Jim and his wife Mary, from Glenalina Park in Ballymurphy, have been tragically robbed of two children in the past two years. Before Michael took his own life, their daughter Debbie (15) was killed by death drivers on the Upper Springfield Road in March 2002.
Jim says that Michael suffered the sexual attack at the hands of a West Belfast man in 1998 and that his son began to self-harm shortly after the attack.
“Michael self-harmed, he had no happy life since the age of 12. He cut himself from his legs to his throat,” said a distraught Jim.
“We tried, but we got no help from social workers.
“He calmed down when he was 16 and he met Fiona and they became engaged,” he added.
Jim revealed that Michael told him about the attack when his son was 15.
The teenager was in hospital at the time after another self-harming incident. Jim says that he immediately contacted Social Services and soon after a complaint was made to the PSNI.
“In 2001 when he was 15 years old, we went to New Barnsley police station and we were told that there was no child care unit there but they would be in contact with us,” said Jim.
“They never got back to us after it was reported in 2001 and then shortly after Debbie was killed,” added Jim.
On Easter Sunday this year, Michael saw the man who had attacked him. Jim says that his son then became very depressed.
“On Easter Sunday night last year he went out and came face-to-face with his abuser,” said Jim.
“That night he told me that he had had enough. Michael went to the police and made a statement. He said that he was afraid that this man would do this to someone else.
“I was interviewed and so was Michael,” he added.
Jim says that his son became more depressed as the weeks wore on after the complaint was made.
He says his son was increasingly frustrated and angry that the case was not being investigated more quickly.
“Me and Michael’s mother are here now to fight Michael and Fiona’s corner and we want justice for them,” said Jim.
“Michael was not mentally ill, he had been sexually abused.
“He was given no help.
“There have been whispers going around about Michael’s death and people don’t know the full facts, but they know the full facts now.
“This man may as well have put the noose around my son’s neck,” he added.
A man was arrested and questioned in connection with the allegations and a file is currently being considered by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A complaint has also been lodged with the Police Ombudsman in connection with the PSNI investigation into the case.
Journalist:: Roisin McManus
