Do You Know Your Neighbour? Social Isolation "Concerning", Says CEO Of Irish Rural Link

"The importance of direct human contact should not be underestimated", says Seamus Boland.

In recent years, Ireland has seen an increasing trend of social isolation, prompting concerns about its impact on individuals’ well-being.

The ability to complete everyday tasks from the comfort our homes – such as food shopping, banking, and even receiving deliveries – has made it easier for people to avoid face-to-face interactions.

That’s according to Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link.

He said that while these advancements provide convenience, they also contribute to a rise in isolation.

He said the importance of direct human contact should not be underestimated, as interactions that once occurred naturally – such as casual conversations on public transport – are now increasingly rare.

This week, the family of a woman who died at least six months before her body was found say she will be remembered as a ‘lively, intelligent and capable person,’ with an excellent sense of humour.

Cork City Coroner’s Court heard 57-year-old Joyce O’Mahony had become withdrawn and reclusive in the years before her death.

The inquest heard a neighbour entered the house in Brookfield Lawn with a crowbar in May last year, after a second neighbour reported a persistent problem with mice in their own home.

Eoin Grant said he found the mummified body of Joyce O’Mahony in a downstairs room.

A third neighbour, Gerard O’Connor said Joyce had moved back from London after 20 years to look after her mother.

Her family said Joyce had changed the locks and it became increasingly difficult to access the house to see their mother.

In Kerry, the bodies of David and Hazel Byrne, both in their 50s, are being treated as a double personal tragedy.

The husband and wife are believed to have been dead for months before their bodies were discovered.

Speaking to Kfm, Seamus Boland said the “modern world has made it easier to disconnect, even in what we call a connected world".

The shift to more reclusive lifestyles has become a significant concern, as the act of isolating oneself can be difficult to reverse, he said.

Efforts to reach out to those who withdraw from society often face resistance, with families encountering rejection despite their best attempts to reconnect.

Boland raised an important point about the need for balance between respecting individuals’ wishes for solitude and ensuring they are not forgotten or neglected.

He suggested that a system should be in place to check on those who may be isolated, whether through direct visits or other means, so they can be assured that someone is available to help when needed.

Shifting focus to rural communities and smaller towns, Boland also called for more robust systems to link individuals, particularly in areas where social isolation is prevalent.

Although rural areas face unique challenges, he said loneliness is not exclusive to them.

Even within urban estates, people can feel just as disconnected.

He suggested that, while voluntary organisations and social clubs play an important role in combating isolation, greater involvement from the government is necessary to strengthen and expand these initiatives.

Community programmes like neighbourhood watch, which aim to reduce crime and improve safety, could be adapted to address social connectivity as well.

He said these programmes could be expanded to include training for volunteers to recognize the signs of isolation and provide the necessary support.