Devastated mum Lorraine Gallagher has pleaded to young people to come forward and speak about their hurt if they are suffering feelings of suicide.
Tragic Lorraine suffered a mother’s worst nightmare yesterday when she buried her SECOND daughter in the space of just six weeks.
Both Erin Gallagher, 13, and her older sister Shannon, 15, took their own lives in Ballybofey and Castlefin.
Shannon was buried on Saturday after funeral mass at St Mary’s Church in Stranorlar – the second time Lorraine suffered such heartache.
Last night Lorraine said she never wanted any mother or father to go through what she has gone through in recent weeks.
“ I am just numb and I don’t know what to think or say at this time.
“But I did see the looks on the faces of Shannon and Erin’s friends and they are going through so much too.
“I want them to know that suicide is not the answer to whatever hurt and pain they are going through.
“There is another way and there are people there to listen. Whatever it is, we can sort it out,” she said.
Lorraine, 36, said she feels empty and lifeless at the moment but knows she has to carry on for her son Sean James, 4.
“Sean James was the centre of Erin and Shannon’s lives. They lived for him.
“I know they are looking down now and protecting us. I know they are willing me to be strong so he can have the best life possible now,” she said.
Hundreds of mourners turned up for Shannon’s funeral on Saturday.
Her remains were carried into the church by members of the Twin Towns Boxing Club of which Shannon was a leading members and had won Ulster titles for.
A picture of the 15 year old sports-mad Finn Valley College studio in the boxing ring sat proudly on top of her white coffin.
Mourners, grown men and women, wiped away tears as they heard how Shannon had excelled at school and especially at Irish.
She loved Gaelic football,, soccer and Irish dancing and had even given up rugby to concentrate more on boxing.
And in a damning homily, local priest Fr John Joe Duffy said society had failed Shannon and her little sister Erin.
He said Erin’s death should have being a dawn for change for agencies and support groups but it was not.
“Society has failed two children, two sisters within two months and that is a most damning indictment for any society evidenced by the second white coffin that is before this altar within two short months, 45 days ago to be exact.
“My heart is devastated, my heart is shattered at how poorly we understand the issues concerning youth mental health and mental health issues in the general population in Ireland. And the terrible consequences we see occurring and reoccurring on a regular basis though out the country.
“The systems and methodologies in place and used by the HSE and other agencies and professionals dealing with these cases simply does not work. We are failing to protect the most fragile and most vulnerable children in our society.
“We are failing to bring in the children, young people and most vulnerable adults on the margins of our society to the safety of the centre where they ought to find support, comfort, and safety.
“The systems and approach need to be radically improved, to be completely overhauled and to be more responsive so that they have a relevance and are fit for purpose in the modern world.
“Hiding behind professionalism and qualifications or the inertia of being able to change rules, legislation or regulations is simply not acceptable, when so many lives getting younger have being tragically and needlessly lost.
“I am now calling upon someone in Government to take a hands on role and to do what it takes. Whatever that is to combat what is the most serious problem affecting our country and so many of our families and communities with such devastating consequences.
“The time for talking is over. For the sake of all people on the margins or in similar circumstances, for the love of God let some one person in Government take leadership and reform what is clearly a broken system,” he slammed.
Coaches from the Twins Towns Boxing Club wiped away tears as they led Shannon from the church as friends released pink balloons into the cold December skyline as Shannon was led to Castlefin Cemetery for burial.
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