Culture
12 Oct 16

CHRISTY DIGNAM OF ASLAN SUPPORTS RIGHT TO ASSISTED SUICIDE

In a remarkable Hot Press interview, the Aslan frontman, diagnosed with terminal cancer, explains why he would consider going to the Dignitas centre to end his life – and why he would like to see the option introduced in Ireland

Christy Dignam, lead singer of seminal Irish act Aslan, has asserted his support of the right to assisted suicide in a remarkable Hot Press interview in the new issue published tomorrow, Thursday October 13.

Talking to Jason O'Toole, the frontman, who has been diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer, admits that travelling to Switzerland to end his life is something that he would absolutely consider – and his belief that the option should be open to people here in Ireland.

"I don't think it'll be successful because we're still too ingrained in the Catholic mindset," he says on the possibility of legalisation in Ireland. "But definitely, I would consider that. Why put yourself through that, if there's no hope? If you're at a point where there's no hope and you're in absolute fucking agony – why make your last couple of months a fucking unpleasant experience? Get out of it."

In a wide-ranging and frequently emotional interview, he also discusses his battles with heroin addiction and depression, in what is a Mental Health Special issue of Hot Press. "It got really, really bad. It got so bad I couldn't get out of the chair. I couldn't see the point of anything. It's fucking horrible."

He also reflects on his band's early rivalry with another young Dublin group of the time – U2. And while there was occasionally bad blood between he and Bono, things are now decidedly different.

"When I was in hospital, Bono wrote me a lovely letter. When I got out of hospital, he came up to the house. He brought me a book of poetry by Seamus Heaney and his wife gave my wife a lovely present. And he was really cool, you know? I think he's a wonderful person. He tries to do the right thing and he gets a lot of stick for it. I was pleasantly surprised."

It's a open, honest and heartfelt exchange with one of Irish music's most iconic figures; read the full interview with Christy Dignam in the new issue of Hot Press, on sale tomorrow.