The mother of tragic teenager Shannon Gallagher has said she does not know where she is going to find the strength to bury her second daughter today.
Lorraine Gallagher will make the heartbreaking journey to St Mary’s Church in Stranorlar for her eldest daughter’s funeral.
It comes just six week’s after she traveled to the same church to bury her youngest daughter Erin, 13.
Both girls took their own lives in similar circumstances in recent weeks.
Last night Lorraine, 36, said she must remain strong for her two girls and he little brother, Sean James, 4, which they left behind.
“I know I have to be strong for my girls. They were strong girls.
“I have to stay strong and to say one final goodbye to Shannon. I know she will be with Erin soon.
“The girls doted on Sean and I know they will want me to be strong for him and to help him get through all this,” she said.
Lorraine said people have been so supportive of her family.
Hundreds of people including many schoolfriends of Erin and Shannon called to the family’s home in Ballybofey in the last two days as Shannon was waked.
“I wouldn’t have been able to get through this without the support and kindness of people.
“I just hope that nobody has to go through what I am going through. I pray they don’t,” she said.
The Gallagher family’s solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher again appealed to the media to keep a respectful distance at today’s funeral and into the Gallagher family’s private lives.
“I would ask the media to be as respectful as possible under the circumstances.
“This family are going through the most difficult time imaginable and they need space, respect and dignity.
“We would ask the media not to be discussing or printing aspects of the family’s private life,” he said.
Meanwhile Fr John Joe Duffy, the priest who officiated at Erin’s funeral, is due to conduct her sister Shannon’s funeral today.
Fr Duffy delivered a hard-hitting homily I which he appealed to young people to boycott social media sites including Ask.fm.
The cleric declined to comment on Shannon’s death.
However it is understood his homily will again be of a hard-hitting nature.
Shannon’s funeral mass will take place at 11am at St Mary’s Church in Stranorlar for internment afterwards at Castlefin Cemetery.
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