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Funeral of Erin (13) tomorrow
30.10.12
DONEGAL Youth Service is urging parents and children
to have open conversations about online activity
following the suicide at the weekend of
thirteen-year old Erin Gallagher. She will be laid
to rest tomorrow after 11am Requiem Mass in
Stranorlar.
The youth service which runs the Letterkenny Youth
Information Centre, regularly delivers 'cyberbullying
and safe internet use' seminars to schools and
parents groups.
The centre, as well as youth organisation, SpunOut,
today reached out to young people following Erin's
death at the weekend.
Gardaí are investigating claims that the young
teenager was the subject of a relentless campaign of
online bullying leading up to her death. It is also
understood she was also physically attacked by her
alleged tormentors. A memorial march to highlight
the dangers of bullying is being planned for the
Twin Towns on November 8 - what would have been
Erin's 14th birthday. |
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Erin Gallagher (13) whose funeral
takes place tomorrow in Stranorlar. |
Youth information
co-ordinator Gareth Gibson today said: “In our
recent needs analysis with almost 500 young people
in the county, cyberbullying information and advice
on dealing with internet use came out top again and
again at a range of different age groups, which
highlights the need for all schools and youth groups
to really engage with this topic.”
Youth information officer Martin Keeney added: “We
like to focus our seminars on online behaviour as
much as just looking at the technologies. It’s
important we don’t lose sight of the many different
positives of the internet also but the choice comes
down to the user and how they use the tools
available to them.
"It’s also important to empower young people to make
their own choices and to be able to realise just
because everyone signs up to a particular site, it
doesn’t mean everyone has to. Individual choice is
crucial and realising the dangers you are opening
yourself up to.”
The Letterkenny Youth Information Centre can be
contacted on 074-9129640 or email yicletterkenny@donegalyouthservice.ie
. It is located at 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny,
directly opposite The Grill. For Erin Gallagher
death notice, click here
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