Recent tragedies have brought into sharp focus the phenomenon of murder suicide in this country and across the world. There have in fact been 24 such cases in Ireland since 2000, many resulting in the deaths of young children. This program will seek to explain why men (mostly) and women reach such a point of despair that it drives them to kill their families, often in savage fashion. It will also explore complex questions: Are the perpetrators evil murderers or in some way deserving of our compassion? Does mental illness excuse horrific acts of violence? Does graphic media reporting lead to copycat killings? Do we all bear some…

Recent tragedies have brought into sharp focus the phenomenon of murder suicide in this country and across the world. There have in fact been 24 such cases in Ireland since 2000, many resulting in the deaths of young children. This program will seek to explain why men (mostly) and women reach such a point of despair that it drives them to kill their families, often in savage fashion. It will also explore complex questions: Are the perpetrators evil murderers or in some way deserving of our compassion? Does mental illness excuse horrific acts of violence? Does graphic media reporting lead to copycat killings? Do we all bear some responsibility for failing to read signs within our own communities?