Tragedy as Donegal teenager found dead just months after her sister’s suicide

Shannon Gallagher had led tributes to bullying victim Erin

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Sisters Erin, (13), and Shannon, (15), Gallagher

Photo by Donegal Daily

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A Donegal family has been devastated by the death of their teenage daughter – just two months after her younger sister committed suicide.

Just two months ago Shannon Gallagher paid an emotional tribute to her sister Erin who took her own life after being bullied.

Shannon, 15, was found dead near her home on Wednesday night. Police believe she also killed herself.

Friends and relatives are trying to comfort Shannon’s distraught family as the community in the town of Ballybofey come to terms with his latest tragedy.

Pupils at the Finn Valley VEC in Stranorlar, which both sisters attended, are said to be distraught.

Read more stories on Erin Gallagher's tragic story here

Donegal VEC chief executive Shaun Purcell told the Irish Independent: “We are trying to find the words and response to the tragedy. The school is still in crisis mode.”

Neighbours told the paper that the family are ‘completely distressed’ by Shannon’s death.

Her sister Erin had posted comments on a social networking site in relation to bullying before she took her own life in October.

Police later launched investigations into claims that she had been a victim of cyber bullying.

The Irish Independent reports that a crisis incident team has been put in place at Finn Valley College after staff were notified of Shannon's death.

Two psychologists, guidance counsellors, principal Frank Dooley and other teaching staff are meeting to assess how to support students.

Shannon was found dead at about midnight on Wednesday night.

A police spokesman said she was found in a townland known as Stranamuck, near Castlefinn, Co Donegal several miles from her home.

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