IN JULY 2012 Francis Carey (48) from Kilkee, Co Clare, found himself standing at the edge of cliff thinking of taking his own life.
He was at an all-time low because of his addiction to alcohol and drugs. His children did not want to know him in this state and his partner had gone beyond trusting him.
Earlier that day, his brother informed him that he was in terrible trouble with the Gardai as a result of one of his bouts of aggression the night before.
“I was stoned out of my head and it all just got to me at that stage,
? Francis recalled.
“I drove eight miles outside the town to the cliffs and stood there looking out at the Atlantic. I wanted it all to end.
“I stood there for a long time and thankfully I didn’t take my life. I looked at the tattoos on my arms, which are pictures of my children and got sense.
“Instead I decided to go to Kilrush Day Hospital to get help. I asked to see the doctor. I just wanted him to give me an injection and get me into a hospital where I could be kept in for my own safety.
“The hospital was closed, but a nurse came to the door. I told her that I really needed help and she gave me a card with a telephone number for Ana Liffey in Limerick City.
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Rachel in Ana Liffey answered his call and Francis told her that he was in a bad way and had been standing on the cliff and just wanted to end it all. She spent two hours on the phone with him and convinced him that there was help available and that he could overcome his problems.
“We agreed that I would meet her and her friend Owen Coughlan two days later at Limerick train station,
? said Francis.
“And when I arrived that morning, Owen saw the state of me and got me breakfast.
“I was only six stone in weight at that stage, as I had not been eating for weeks.
“I went with them to Ana Liffey in Limerick. When I arrived, I was introduced to John from Coolmine, who was on a visit to Limerick to explain the work he did for people with addictions.
“Coolmine accepted me and I started my therapy. I came up to the Coolmine Lodge every Tuesday for about three months.
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Francis comes from a farming background. He worked on the family farm for most of his life and also spent time as a labourer on the building sites in the area.
As a young chap, Francis was a keen sportsman and won four championship medals, playing corner forward for the Kilkee GAA football team. He was also successful in athletics, particularly running.
However at 22 years of age he tried marijuana. The high he got from this soon had Francis taking ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol.
His reaction to alcohol brought Francis to the attention of the Gardai. He became aggressive and was arrested several times.
In many cases aggression took over while Francis was in a blackout and he has no memory whatsoever of much of the trouble he caused. But thankfully, that’s all now in the past.
“I am now clean 16 months and I am working hard to rebuild a relationship with my partner and three lovely children,
? he said.
“My son recently told his teacher that his daddy was off drugs and alcohol and was training to run in this year’s Dublin City Marathon.
“He is proud of me again and I am very proud of him. There is nothing better for me than going for a run for him as well as spending time with the girls,
? he said.
Having graduated from Coolmine last September, Francis continues to come to Dublin to visit Coolmine regularly. He’s back working with his brother on the family farm, and is committed to building a strong relationship with his family.
He admits that he has come a long way since he stood on that cliff in 2012.
“I thank Rachel and all the people in Ana Liffey for listening to me that night and for putting me in touch with Coolmine,
? he said.
“I would not have made it without Coolmine. Coolmine saved my life.
“And I want to warn people that addiction is something that can creep up on anybody, no matter what age you are or where you live or work. I am one of the lucky ones and I am very grateful.
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