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A chronically-ill father-of-three killed himself after the Department for Work and Pensions said he was fit to work and stopped his benefits, an inquest has heard.
Kevin Dooley, 48, from Leeds, was found hanged by his daughter Leanne Dooley, 28, on December 17 last year and died three days later in hospital - the week before Christmas.
Wakefield Coroner's Court heard today how the father-of-three had suffered from breathing problems for a number of years caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Formerly a painter and decorator, he feared not being able to pay his bills when his Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) was stopped after he had been deemed 'fit to work'.
Kevin Dooley (left), 48, from Leeds, was found hanged by his daughter Leanne Dooley (right), 28, on December 17 last year and died three days later in hospital - the week before Christmas
The inquest heard how Mr Dooley (pictured) had a history of anxiety and depression, worsened by the breakdown of a relationship in 2011 and the death of his mother and one of his brothers in 2012 and 2015 respectively
The decision was taken despite Mr Dooley being told by his doctor he was too sick to return to his job.
Ms Dooley told the court her father had been claiming ESA for years because his difficulties in breathing, coughing fits and blackouts prevented him from having a job.
In a statement read to the court, his daughter said: 'I am of the firm belief that the issues around my father's fitness to work and the subsequent stopping of his benefits had an adverse effect on his health and led to him taking his own life.'
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Ms Dooley told the court how her father had been fearing the DWP would stop his allowance ever since he received a letter on July 18 last year calling him for an assessment.
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She said she had attempted to calm him down and convince him everything would be OK because she felt there was 'no chance' that 'a man as poorly as my dad was fit to work'.
But the inquest heard how, in November last year, Mr Dooley received a letter from the DWP saying his ESA would be stopped, and a subsequent appeal against the decision failed.
In the days after his admittance to hospital, Mr Dooley (pictured) failed to respond when lifted from sedation and he died on December 20 last year
Ms Dooley said her father was left with 'no choice' but to apply for Universal Credit and take the matter to a tribunal.
The father-of-three's GP, Dr Carolyn Abbot, of the Garden Surgery in Leeds, said Mr Dooley had visited the practice on December 11 last year and was in a 'state of panic' because his 'debts were accruing'.
She said: 'It would appear Kevin's mental health was severely and adversely affected after the DWP told him he was fit to work, this affected his housing benefit.'
The inquest heard how Mr Dooley had a history of anxiety and depression, worsened by the breakdown of a relationship in 2011 and the death of his mother and one of his brothers in 2012 and 2015 respectively.
The court heard how his mental health issues, coupled with his condition, meant there were many days when he would be unable to get out of his bed.
Ms Dooley said when she visited him on December 17 last year he was 'crying and was really upset about his benefits being stopped'.
That night, she said she received a message from her father that simply said 'I love you', telling the court: 'I knew straight away that something was wrong and that he would harm himself in some way.
'I did not think he would hang himself.'
She tried to give him CPR, the court heard, and he was taken to Leeds General Infirmary in a 'comatose state'.
Doctor David Moir, a consultant in anaesthetics, described it as an 'unsurvivable brain injury'.
At Wakefield Coroner's Court, Coroner Jonathan Leach concluded a verdict of suicide saying that the stopping of his benefits appeared to have had a 'detrimental' effect on him
In the days after his admittance to hospital, he failed to respond when lifted from sedation and he died on December 20 last year.
Ruling that the death had been a suicide, Coroner Jonathan Leach told Ms Dooley: 'I am grateful to you for coming and all that is left is for me to pass on my condolences.'
He added: 'It is apparent from Miss Dooley's statement that issues regarding his fitness to work and stopping his benefits had a very detrimental effect on him and ultimately caused him to take his own life.'
A DWP spokesman said after the inquest that Mr Dooley had continued to receive the benefit while the appeal against the decision to stop the ESA was under consideration, and that he received a payment on December 8.
They said: 'Our thoughts are with Mr Dooley's family at this difficult time.
'We want to ensure that people with disabilities and health conditions get the support they're entitled to and decisions are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist.
'Mr Dooley continued to receive benefits during his appeal.'
- For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, or see samaritans.org
A militant vegan who chalked anti-meat slogans outside a McDonald's was confronted by diners - who munched burgers in his face.
Eiren Donnelly, 21, claims he was challenged by diners after scrawling vegan slogans onto a pavement outside the fast food restaurant in Swansea, south Wales.
University student Eiren wrote on the ground: 'Happy meals harm your child' and 'dead baby animals sold here'.
He says he was confronted by restaurant-goers who were upset by his messages - and tried to eat burgers in front of him.
University student Eiren Donnelly, 21 (pictured), claims he was challenged by McDonald's diners after scrawling vegan slogans onto a pavement outside the fast food restaurant in Swansea, south Wales
He said: 'A lot of people, snowflakes, have been getting triggered by these messages. They're really sensitive.
'They've come out with these burgers and try and eat them in front of my face. They think it upsets me, of course it does upset me that animals have suffered and died.'
He also recorded footage of him being confronted by police told him he could be arrested for a public order offence if he causes harassment.
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Eiren, who studies business at Swansea University, said: 'Veganism for me is all encompassing, it is about compassion knowing no boundaries.
'It is something ultimately I suppose I am prepared to be arrested for, but I didn't think on this occasion I was going to be.
'But for me, whatever social repercussions I may endure by advocating veganism are entirely worth it, because the suffering animals endure is not comparable to social isolation or loss of friendships.
He says he was confronted by restaurant-goers who were upset by his messages - and tried to eat burgers in front of him. Some of his messages included: 'Happy meals harm your child' and 'dead baby animals sold here'
'I became a vegan at the beginning of last year, and I got involved in activism a few months after that.
'The reason I chose to advocate for veganism is because I felt almost lost, no sense of direction. I was on a degree course but did not know what career or life course to pursue after my course, until I discovered veganism.
'When I did, it was almost like a magic pill. It's this one small change in mindset that if everyone did it I believe the world would be significantly more peaceful. It is better for human health, better for the planet.
'I am not suffering in any comparable way to the way animals suffer and twenty years I contributed to their suffering.'
He also recorded footage of him being confronted by police told him he could be arrested for a public order offence if he causes harassment. Eiren said: '[Veganism] is something ultimately I suppose I am prepared to be arrested for, but I didn't think on this occasion I was going to be'
A South Wales Police spokesman added: 'South Wales Police officers will facilitate peaceful protest while balancing the needs and rights of the wider community and ensuring public safety'
'I feel indebted and I am obligated to make amends for the suffering I caused unknowingly,' he said.
Eiren's other messages said: 'Respect life be vegan, baby male cows are killed for dairy, peace begins on your plate, Watch 'Dairy is scary' on You Tube, and eating animals is linked to heart disease.'
A South Wales Police spokesman added: 'South Wales Police officers will facilitate peaceful protest while balancing the needs and rights of the wider community and ensuring public safety'.