THE mother of a Rhyl man who fell from an Irish ferry says he was let down by the authorities.

Margaret Burnell said she did everything possible to get help for her son Peter Foden, who had mental health problems, but was not listened to.

Speaking on her behalf at an inquest in Ruthin, her close friend Jenny Taylor said: “She did her absolute best to get him the support he needed. She was on the phone every day but wasn’t listened to.”

The inquest heard that on January 9 Peter, 44, was found by PC Jonathan Black in Belfast. He had a suitcase and just £1 on him. He told the officer he did not intend to self-harm.

“I didn’t feel there was any risk,” said the officer. “He was happy to return home to his family.”

Mrs Burnell, having reported her son missing from his flat in Fairfield Avenue, Rhyl, then bought a ticket for him to return on a Stenna ferry to Birkenhead.

She went to meet him, but the alarm was raised when he did not turn up. His case and shoes were found on the vessel and CCTV footage revealed him standing outside the railings.

A search operation was launched and Mr Foden was picked up from the sea off the Liverpool Bar. He was taken to Aintree University Hospital but died later that morning.

The inquest heard that Mr Foden, a talented artist, had suffered from paranoia and had some engagement with the mental health and substance abuse services, but was believed to have the capacity to make his own decision.

Miss Taylor said that Mrs Burnell had become increasingly worried about his isolation and raised her concerns with his mental health support worker and GP.

“Margaret was almost begging for help,” said Miss Taylor. “She wants people to listen to the family.”

Miss Taylor said it was also felt that PC Black should have realised that Mr Foden was vulnerable and unfit to travel alone on the ferry.

“I would have expected the police to take more positive action as he had no money and nowhere to stay,” she said.

Recording a conclusion  of suicide, John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, said that although it was not part of his remit he hoped that Mrs Burnell would continue to pursue her concerns.

  • Anyone with mental health issues can contact MIND's infoline on 0300 123 3393, email info@mind.org.uk or text 86463 anytime between 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, contact Samaritans at any time. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone) or email jo@samaritans.org.