John Sweetman

She and her father Frank were very close, and even with all her work and study, they still spoke a few times a day and would meet in person several times a week.

So when Elaine checked herself into St.

Edmundsbury on July 12, 2012, he was a bit surprised, but he knew she had her worries and was glad she was getting help.

In the months leading up to this last stay, Elaine had got herself into some money trouble.

She was four months in arrears on her mortgage, and her apartment had also flooded.

Frank had loaned her 6,000 euro, but she still owed a lot more.

But when he questioned why she had admitted herself into psychiatric care again, it was still a shock to hear her words.

You do not know what I've done.

She then told him about a noose on a bookcase in her apartment.

During the six weeks in hospital, Elaine kept up her job at the newsagents on weekends and took day leave.

She attended that training day for the tall ships, made plans for the volunteer days with Sheila and arranged her next few shifts at the newsagents.

The day before her discharge, her doctor noted that she was in cheerful form, spontaneous, smiling, alert, and seemed really happy.

She was excited about working with the Tallships.

Around midday on Wednesday, August 22nd, Elaine checked herself out of St.

Edmundsbury's and went to the pharmacy to fill 11 prescriptions to get her through the next month.

Medication for diabetes, cholesterol and asthma, stomach and bowel problems, insomnia, anxiety and depression.

As was often the case, she didn't have the money on her but she promised the chemist that she would be back as soon as her next payday came in.

She then went to Killiney to visit her father Frank who was looking after her little niece.

They all went together to the Shangana Cemetery.

On the way, Elaine called the newsagents to check on her shifts after the festival and was busily texting on her phone.