How very very tragic. The poor family I cannot imagine what they must be going through.

There are no words…awful, just awful

What an absolute terrible tragedy. Thoughts and prayers with these poor girls parents, god love them all.

I have never commented on the Journal before although i read it daily. Never felt the need to really. But this story is just the most tragic story that brings tears to my eyes literally. I am a father of two young daughters. Words escape me to describe how this makes me feel. That poor poor family. I hope never to feel the need to comment again.

I have battled with mental health problems for a long time and I was lucky to get help, I was never faced with bullying so I cant comment on that. I do feel we as a nation need to express our feelings more and be more like our American brothers they let you know how they feel all that time. This is a thing I hope that is becoming more easy for Irish people to do even so men. I can not begin to understand how this girls parents and friends do feel, a saying that stook with me a lot was ” The saddest thing in life is wasted talent” this apply’s to this case. She will be missed a lot as anyone of that age who takes there life. I do hope people try to help friends speak up if they have problems there is no shame in needing help. I needed help I got it I am here today still in a battle but doing ok I have walked many dark path’s and I am here to tell the story. So if you do read this and your feeling down or need help contact any of the above numbers or come on twitter and speak to me ill help you if I can, or Ill make the call for you. Just do me a favour people and young people of Ireland stay strong your the future. erin go bragh

We have the RSA campaign to tackle road deaths and that seems to be working thankfully but suicide claims more lives each year and there doesn’t seem to be any awareness or help out there. Depression and bullying go hand in hand. Thoughts and prayers with the families and friends of those two girls.

I don’t usually get emotional about stories I hear on the news, but this is so so sad. The poor family must be in complete turmoil. My heart really does go out to them.

This is just so terrible . There are just no words.
Sincere condolences to her parents ,family , and friends,
May she rest in peace with her sister

This is awful, but until adults stop jeering each other and bullying each other how are our kids supposed to learn. We have all heard of the “shock and horror” experienced by adults at such tragic events but please lets stop labeling this a “childhood problem”. The dail is the worst place of all where jeering and mocking is par for the course. Twitter is an absolute farce where I have witnessed many well known journalists publicly having a laugh together at one persons expense. Bullying is bullying, end of and until supposed mature adults cop on and realise they are no better than a common bully with their carry on, kids will not learn that this is a no no! My heart goes out to this family!

I will go home so thankful for what I have, not what I don’t. This is as tragic as it possibly can be. I hope the family can pull through it. Thoughts and prayers are with the family. I really hope they get all the help they need.

OMG! What a tragedy, my deepest sympathy goes out to their parents. As a father of three girls I would be inconsolable.

How tragic. The poor girls may they rest in peace and the family have strength to cope with losing another young child. This time of the year it makes it even more sad. Sometimes we have to stop and just be thankful for what we have and who we have around us.
R.I.P

Horrible news. Suicide is like a plague in Ireland and still people wont talk about it.

That is so heart breaking. Poor parents.

That’s heartbreaking to hear..poor girl R.I.P

something needs to be done about taking away the taboo of mental health problems. for years people whispered the word cancer. People still whisper “suicide”. if you knew someone being treated for cancer you’d for anything you could to help them. It should be the same if someone is depressed or down. If someone told you they found a lump in their breast you’d encourage them to go to the doctor – we need to encourage the same with people showing mental health problems. We all know a breast lump can be a sign of cancer, do we know what the signs of mental health problems are? if not we should!

Hearing so many stories of young people committing suicide this month. So tragic.

Sinead O’Connor and Danny O’Reilly from the Coronas have released a Christmas single with profits going to Aware. Something small we can all do maybe

http://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/when-a-child-is-born-singles/id577562019

It’s not often I’m shocked.
I am now. The time of year is so insignificant now. Strength to those left behind.
R.I.P.

So sad words cannot express the pain that family must be going through.

Amy,its tragic passing of Shannon Gallagher,the town here are in bits,but hopefully they get more time to grieve

That poor family :-( Suicide should be treated as a far more serious issue than this state does.

So so sad….., may she rest in peace….

I’m just shocked reading this, that poor family, you wouldn’t wish that on your worst enemy. My thoughts are with them all. Are there any suicide services in Donegal anyone can think of? I would like to make a small donation.

Ill re-post what I put up on Boards.ie as it applies here.

t saddens me deeply to read about all these suicides and the effect bullies are having on people. We have lost two beautiful young girls as a result of bullies. We can’t just sit back and do nothing. More needs to be done to chase down those who carry out this thuggish behaviour and ensure they don’t get a chance to do it to somebody else.

We will go through life and meet people we don’t like, don’t agree with, have different views on. Does that give anybody a right to mock, harass, ridicule, or personally target that person constantly? Insults or not? No, it doesn’t. We just agree to disagree and move on. If we don’t like someone, just ignore them and move on.

If you are the victim of bullies, don’t let the ****ers get you down. I was bullied when I was in school and I know how it feels. You need to report it and deal with it. Face the problem head on early and don’t let it build up so much that it becomes a problem. Tell the teacher, the principal, your parents or even a Guard. Its their duty to protect you and you need to fight your corner and ensure that no bully muscles their way into your head so much that you feel suicidal. Shout it from the rooftops if you have to, but don’t lock it all up inside you and refuse to deal with it.

Life will have its challenges and difficulties. You will come across very tough periods and challenges that look like their is no way forward. There is always a way forward. The devastation you leave behind after a suicide is awful and can leave people around you in a very very bad state. Even in the state one finds themselves in that they end their own lives. The impact on everybody around you is massive. There are difficult times and challenges we fact and the best way forward is to speak about how we feel. Why hide it away? Why think ‘Its only my own worries, I won’t bother anybody else’? You can speak to someone you don’t know or someone close to you – but its always good to talk and it can be a huge help.

There are people out there who can and want to help you, even if it seems like the opposite. Please, please, please. When times get tough, talk. If it gets tougher, tell people how you are feeling and get help. Don’t let it take hold. You are always loved by someone.

How utterly tragic and devastating for the family. My deepest condolences to them.

I cant even begin to imagine what these girls parents and family are going through.. just heartbreaking. rest in peace girls. xx

Heartbreaking, utterly utterly heartbraking thoughts with her family.

ah so sad. after reading that I gave my son a big hug and told him I love him.

So so sad. My thoughts and prayers go to their family and friends.

Such a heartbreaking tragedy. I cannot even begin to imagine the grief the family must be suffering. My thoughts and prayers are with the parents and the rest of this family. R.I.P.

this is truly a terrible tragedy. My thoughts are with her family at this time. God rest her soul.

It’s a national tragedy, those poor poor people. I’ve a 13 year old daughter and this news is heart wrenching. I don’t even know how they could be consoled. I’ll not forget this for a long long time if ever.

Bullying is so destructive. Those bullies should be held accountable. Words can cut like knifes that can leave scars that never heal.

I feel sick to my stomach. Poor poor family #RIP Shannon xx

Parents teach your kids to talk out their minds , parents teach yourselves to listen .RIP young lady .

Thoughts & prayers with the family. What a terrible tragedy for them.

saddens me very deeply this it such a tragedy to lovely girls,

My sincere condolences to the Gallagher family. I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going through.

As a parent of teenage children I have to say this scares me! How do we fight this and prevent it from happening again?

I can’t find words to express what I feel.
RIP young ones.

Anyone have any suggestions on the main anti-bullying charities in Ireland? Be good to know how to help.

R .I. P

What’s wrong with this country? So so sad and unnecessary. RIP

How very sad, thoughts and prayers with their family. RIP

This is awful , two young beautiful daughters are gone within such a short time of each other. What a tragedy to the family! May they rest in peace

Omg the poor family , oh how unbelievably heartbreaking . Words fail me

I’m truely shocked and offer my condolences to the family and friends. I just don’t know what words to say or if there is any words. RIP x

This is truly heartbreaking. RIP

Heartfelt condolences to the family. What an awful thing to have to go through. RIP.

I had to go into the bathroom in my office to cry.

This is so very, very sad. I don’t know what to say.

This is terrible, terrible news, thoughts are with the family. Something is going to have to be done with peoples attitudes to the internet and their behavior to others in an almost anonymous medium.

This is heartbreaking news. To anyone out there who may be struggling.. please talk to someone. There is a great charity called http://www.turn2me.org who supply online counselling for young people. Log on, anonymously and talk to someone.

If you know someone who may be struggling log on yourself and get advice on how best to help them. It could make all the difference.

I have two young children and I dread the day they have social media accounts. Hopefully by that time there will be guidelines or measures in place to prevent online harassment and bullying.

That’s so sad. Thoughts are with her poor family. R.I.P

heartbreaking news….our thoughts and prayers are with childs family

I don’t think it’s helpful to slag each other on this subject. If you don’t have a few nice words to share perhaps you would be better to find another way to vent your anger & frustration.

The poor family they have been ripped apart and where are those bullies now that started the whole thing?? Bastards.

This is so sad! I don’t no what happened but heard she was struggling with her sisters death! Parents need such strength to pull through this R.I.P

So so sad God il pray for her family at this time very devastating

Terrible news, my heart and prays go out to her family. What kind of society are we living in. People involved in bullying should be charged in the same way as those committing acts of violence . Bullying is rampant now in Ireland and not just in schools.

Save a thought for the emergency services, clergy, psychologists etc. who have to work at the coalface of such tragedies….

Words can’t describe how their poor parents must be feeling, so so sad..

shocking…
my thoughts are with the parents.
But the first thought that came to my mind was:
They talk about counselling in circumstances where bullying is a factor.. i would have thought that after the tragic loss of her sister counselling was being arranged as well, no?
which begs the question if this was ( or in general terms, is) sufficiently applied.
lets hope this will at least start a change in how stress, depression and mental illness is being perceived and treated. don’t let this be in vain.

so so sad, may she rest eternally in peace……

There are no words to describe what the family are going through. Rip little one and God bless the family

Absolutely heartbreaking, deepest sympathies to Erin and Shannons family at this terrible time. xxx

Rest in peace little angels xx

Those poor girls and their family, my heart breaks for them. :(

I’ve just heard this news this very second and I am just so saddened by it,I wish I had a magic wand to make the terrible hurt some people disappear.

Oh my god that’s awful awful news.. How can any family cope with that.. I can’t imagine.. Prayers & thoughts with the family..

This is horrific, so many young people comitting suicide these days, it should never be an option.

Good, well-meaning, people of faith say stuff like ‘They are angels in Heaven now” or “God must have needed another Angel” or “They are reunited with….now” or “They are happy/at peace now”….when a young person dies in tragic circumstances. Of course this must be of considerable comfort to bereaved families left behind. But I often wonder about the potential impact of this kind of message on the young, vulnerable minds of distraught friends or siblings of the deceased. There is ongoing debate about the pros and cons of Facebook memorials amid concerns that they might in some way, however unintentional, present death in a glorified way. Perhaps this discussion needs to be widened.

Very sad story and my thoughts are with the family. RIP
In this country I feel suicide victims, especially young victims are glorified by there peers in their death. Lavish memorial services/mass etc. This has been proven to lead to “suicide clusters” or “copycat” suicides. It’s called the “Werther Effect”. Perhaps it’s time to limit memorials to suicide to family only events such as adopted in other areas of Europe. This alone obviously won’t solve the problem and education is also needed.

No. No. No. No.

Such a tragedy. thoughts are with that poor family coming up to Christmas!

Oh no, this is terrible. Their poor mother.

I think there needs to be some proper authentication for everyone logging on to websites, this anonymous way is leading to more and more people getting bullied. This is so sad.

Diarmuid. I agree that adults are poor example for young people today. I am incensed by programmes like the X factor – people sit with their children from as young as three watching the Simon Cowells of this world slandering and belittling vulnerable people all in the name of entertainment. We watch YouTube clips of people being humiliated. How do we expect our young people to behave any differently when they are only learning by adult example that abusive insults are acceptable – until we stop promoting and supporting tv shows which only aim to ridicule we will continue to see bullying by young of young. Slagging people off has become the norm. I shudder to think how much worse it will all get before we call a halt to negative backbiting and bigotry. Our mantra should be ” If you can’t say anything good day nothing at all”
Believe in the power of one. If you believe pass the message on and let’s stop lining the pockets of those who profit by inflicting misery on others.

Oh my god! Rest in peace girls
The law in this country needs to change make it illegal to make threatening abusive or insulting comments or posts on the internet, and to force social networking sites to remove to facilities to make anonymous comments.
The uk have an agency called ceop (child exploitation and online protection) an multy disipline agency made up of police, computer experts, social workers, psycholigists and the dept of education, we need something like that to protect children
Anyone involved politics please do something, bring a motion forward to government and if you do whatever party you represent i promise i will vote for you.

I have asked for “ask fm” to be closed down to no avail. It is time now for the Government to introduce legislation to close down “ask fm” permanently an under the same legislation to ban permanently the setting up of similar websites and to force facebook and similar companies to shut down services to any individual who bullies using their services.

:( poor family

To Denise Feeney, why is everyone else at fault , youthreach , guards, social workers. This is in no way referring to the Gallagher family but there are parents out there who give their children to much unsupervised access to social networking and forget the need for real communication. Online communication is false in so many ways and it’s inappropriate for parents to allow their children to access it for hours at a time. It’s an addiction among teenagers which is such a pity.
My heart breaks for the gallaghers and the family were very vulnerable after the first suicide, it’s a sad ending for all involved.

Saddest news I’ve heard in a long time. Heartbreaking for the family. Two beautiful girls gone forever. Suicide is a scourge on his country. When will the authorities deal with this issue. The majority of people I know has been affected by suicide to some degree in the past few years. Time to wake up to this.

An absolute tragedy! shame on the people making comments on religious beliefs this is certainly not the place for it. Regardless of beliefs where is the empathy for this poor family at this particular time of year? Whether your religious or atheist show some decency and humanity.

I believe that schooling should be reformed to include more personal development as stories like this show how fragile children are.let’s not overlook the root of the problem bullying and cyber bullying action needs to be taken.

At a moment like this an individual’s opinion does not come into it..A family,with christmas around the corner,a festival(taking all religous meaning out) of togetherness-of family coming together from near and far, for this family it will not happen.My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Gallagher family at this time.They need support..not debate.

I’m very heartbroken even tho I don’t know the family but my thoughts are so with them at this time of year makes its so harder god above help this family they need it such a lost two lovely girls gone R.I.P

X

I have no words. I am so sad to hear this news.

I don’t mean to be melodramatic, but I’m not at all surprised that this happened. The poor girl probably felt devastated about her sister’s suicide, suffocated by the media onslaught and trapped on all sides. Moreover, Ireland is such a bleak cesspit at the moment. The only thing that gets me through any day is knowing that this joblessness and horribleness won’t be my life forever; I also feel like I have too many people depending on me to let them down like that. The majority of us (highly-skilled unemployed youth, especially) are just so lucky that we don’t have mental health issues to deal with on top of the daily misery of Ireland.

And then there’s bullying as well, why on earth would anyone be compelled to pick on somebody that they perceive as different to them? How could somebody get a sense of satisfaction from illustrating the fact that somebody doesn’t conform; a trait that should be lauded? I reckon it’s because being different and thinking in more creative ways intimidates people whose plains of understanding are too limited. Bullies are under such pressure to live normal, boring lives that anyone who doesn’t fit in with their picture is a threat which needs to be eradicated in order to maintain the status quo. The saddest part is that in most cases, I’d imagine that bullies are also probably very unhappy people who live thoroughly unfulfilling lives because of their fears and inhibitions.

I just wish somebody had been able to help these girls before it came to this. My thoughts are once more with the Gallagher family and now with Shannon’s friends too; I just wish I could do more to help.

There needs to be more done to encourage young people that suicide is not the answer, there are a lot of good organisations out there that are there to listen.

I’d it any wonder suicide is such a taboo subject in this country with attitudes like this. Moronic.

http://thecity.ie/2012/12/04/bullying-in-ireland/

Bullying is an intangible concept that takes innumerable forms and will NEVER go away. The only way to combat it is to put actual effort into raising your child, spending quality time making them feel an equal part of a family unit, building their confidence and establishing a healthy rapport between them and yourself. Perhaps then what could be perceived to be bullying would be perceived as the other person’s problem. You treat your kid like some kind of baffling, delicate alien all the while insisting that their safety, well being and entertainment is the job of governments, schools and television then wonder why they don’t feel comfortable discussing sensitive subjects!?

This is truly shocking. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain that Mr and Mrs Gallagher must be feeling now, and I hope that they will find the strength to heal – even though that seems an impossible feat right now.

I hope that this girl and her sister will rest in peace, neither of them should have ever felt that they needed to end their lives.. It’s a terrible waste, and a truly heartbreaking situation.

We all need to come together and start taking better care of our mental health. I’ve been down that road, and know so many others who have walked that dark path and turned back to become stronger for it – perhaps kids need to hear from people who have felt this way *and* come through the other side. They need to see that it *can* get better, so that hopefully they may think twice before taking their own lives.

My heart goes out to the family and friends. I hope they are getting every bit of support they need.

Too sad… There simply are no words!!! :( My sincere sympathies go to the family and friends involved and I hope this might be a wake up call to not only the bullies involved in this particular case but to anyone out there that doesn’t realise the consequences of their actions or how fragile life really is… R.I.P to those beautiful girls and I hope they’re at peace now. xx

May God’s love fill their Souls and the Souls of all their family and friends.

this trend is frightening what have we become if we cannot protect our children,, My thoughts and prayers go to the family,,god bless you all

what can i say to these parents ,worst thing that can happen to a family ,,no need for comments ,just sincere sympathies to the family ,from a parent of 3 .xxr.i.p..

there are no words ,or comments ,to ease the pain these parents are going through tonight ,as a mom of three ,and a family of five ,such grief is not imaginable ,thoughts and prayers ,with you all at this sad time .as i write this ,words seem so empty ,please know ye are in my thoughts and prayers .xx

Well done Amy !!

:-(

Bullying on the internet should be made a serious offence punishable with five years in prison. I know what its like to get bullied on the net because it has happened to me. I was told I’d get a knock on my door in the middle of night. This was reported to the garda but nothing was done about it.

R.I.P Shannon reunited with your sister..prayers are with their parents that they will find strength to get through this

hear hear! communications is key.

I agree with henry sanner’s post,where was the HSE who are said [in the article]to be “liaising with the family ‘now’ “..why not earlier??were the gardaí brought in to investigate the tragedy two months ago?if so..why didn’t they deal with the bully/s and issue warnings[at least] to all concerned,what about counseling/therapy back then/since?,this tragedy deserves full investigation,of all concerned,inc’ the schools where they attended,and all teens within their community,who bear some knowledge/responsibility ..perhaps/R.I.P.

MAY GOD HOLD ERIN AND SHANNON IN HIS HAND AND BLESS THE GALLAGHER FAMILY TO GIVE THEM STRENGHT TO GET THROUGH THIS UNIMAGINABLE GRIEF. CAN I JUST SAY THAT I HEARD SOCIAL SERVICES ARE COMFORTING THE FAMILY AT THIS TIME THE THING IS AND FORGIVE ME FOR SAYING IT IS THAT AND IM SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS THE FATHER OF A DAUGHTER WHO WAS A BULLY IN SCHOOL AND WAS WELL KNOWN TO THE GARDA AND WAS PART OF MANY A MEETING IN SCHOOL TO STOP IT WHICH LED TO HER EXPULSION AND REFERRED TO A YOUTHREACH PROGRAM WHICH TURNED HER TO DRINK.. I WENT TO SOCIAL WORKERS FOR HELP AND ALL I WAS MET WITH WAS A SHRUGGING OF SHOULDERS AND THE ATTITUDE “WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO ABOUT IT”? THE GARDA HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE BECAUSE IF THE BULLY IS UNDER 18 THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, SO THE KIDS THAT ARE DOING THE BULLYING KNOW THEY ARE ABOVE THE LAW SO LONG AS THEY ARE UNDERAGE. MY DAUGHTER WOULD BREAK UP HER WHOLE ROOM AND THE GARDA WATCHING AT THE HOUSE AS SHE WALKED BACK OUT THE FRONT DOOR THEY TOLD ME TO LEAVE HER GO LIKE IT WAS ACCEPTABLE WHAT SHE HAD DONE. THE LAW SHOULD BE CHANGED TO HELP PARENTS OUT TO GET HELP AND BULLIES NO MATTER WHAT AGE BE PUT IN FRONT OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND PUNISHED ACCORDINGLY. IF THE LAW ISNT CHANGED THEN THIS WILL CONTINUE SO LONG AS THE LAW ALLOWS BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF A PERSON THAT THROUGH THEIR CRUELNESS HAS CAUSED THE DEATH OF ANOTHER HUMAN BEING. TECHNOLOGY IS THE REAL CULPRIT HERE WHICH NO MATTER WHAT WE DO IS NOT GOING TO STOP GOING FORWARD BUT THE ONE THING WE AS THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND HAVE A SAY IN, IS OUR LAW AND THAT LIKE THE REFERENDUM CAN BE MADE LAW AGAINST THESE IDIOTS THAT MAKE OTHER PEOPLES LIVES UNBEARABLE TO LIVE. SORRY. BUT I AM A FRUSTRATED PARENT WHO WAS NOT LISTENED TO BY THESE SO CALLED PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER DIDNT GET HELP WILL END UP IN JAIL AFTER 18 (GAURANTEED). THANKS FOR LISTENING AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE LAW CHANGED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT SO IF ANY JUDGE IS READING THIS GET THE BALL ROLLING AND DO THE RIGHT THING. IM SO SICK OF GARDA AND SOCIAL WORKERS TAKING THE COP OUT PLEA. MANY THANKS.

problem – cyber bullying….solution – log off

Totally utterly shocked at the very tragic death of Shannon G so soon after her own sister’s death. May they both R.I.P.
My heartfelt condolences to their parents and their extended family and friends.
When, when, when will authorities take note that living human beings matter and that when we humans suffer in whatever way, society as a whole is affected. Our inaction as a society to support and care for those whose physical, mental and emotional well-being is affected or damaged, marks us as uncaring. Shame on us.

Absolutely shocking and devastating…can’t believe two girls from the one family are gone within the one year! How will their parents ever come to terms with this? Thoughts and sympathies with the whole family

Prime Time on RTE are covering this now

So sad…..

Amy can I ask why my comment was deleted?

(Matthew 9:24, 25) . . .Jesus began to say: “the little girl did not die, but she is sleeping.” At this they began to laugh at him scornfully…He went in and took hold of her hand, and the little girl got up.

(John 11:11-44) . . .“our friend has gone to rest, but I am journeying there to awaken…from sleep.”…Jesus had spoken, however, about …death…and I rejoice on YOUR account that I was not there, in order for YOU to believe…

The Twin, said…“Let us also go, that we may die with him.”…he had already been four days in the memorial tomb…Martha therefore said to Jesus: “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died…“I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”

Jesus said to her: “I am the resurrection and the life. He that exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life and everyone that is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?…“Yes, Lord; I have believed that you are the Christ the Son of God…

Jesus raised his eyes heavenward and said: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. True, I knew that you always hear me; but on account of the crowd standing around I spoke, in order that they might believe that you sent me forth.” And when he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: “Laz′a·rus, come on out!” The [man] that had been dead came out!…

(John 5:28, 29) . . .Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.

(Psalm 37:11,29) “the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace…And they will reside forever upon it”

(Revelation 21:4) “he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore”

He proved he could do it so we can trust him to do it again on a global scale soon!!! But in the mean time we can comfort the depressed with these wonderful promises and warm feelings of empathy and compassion knowing that our loving God Jehovah and his son Jesus will undo all the damage death and suffering has caused!!!

For more comforting thoughts and explanations and reassurance from the Bible have a look at http://www.JW.org