A rural-based GP says loneliness is 'the greatest unrecognised medical challenge of our generation.'
Now, a meeting is to take place in Ballymote, Co Sligo, tomorrow (Friday) night to highlight how widespread the problem is.
Dr Keith Swanick, a Fianna Fail senator, has set up a special task force on loneliness which, he says, can affect anyone, old or young, regardless of whether they are in rural or urban areas.
But he says loneliness can be beaten, one conversation at a time.
Dr Swanick says people are depending too much on modern technology instead of talking to each other.
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* That meeting will take place in Doddy's Pub in Ballymote at 8:30pm on Friday evening.
