The Irish authorities have been damned by the priest who buried tragic teenager Shannon Gallagher.

Fr John Joe Duffy spared nobody in authority as he conducted the funeral mass for suicide victim Shannon just six weeks after he had buried her sister Erin.

The Irish Sun reports that Fr Duffy told a packed St Mary’s Church in Stranorlar that the authorities had failed the Gallaghers.

Devastated mum Lorraine, who had to be helped into the church, heard Fr Duffy criticize the lack of response by the authorities to Erin’s death.

He said: “Erin’s death should have prompted a change in dealing with troubled youngsters.

“Society has failed two children, two sisters within two months. My heart is devastated at how poorly we understand the issues concerning mental health.

“The system in place simply does not work. We are failing to protect the most fragile and most vulnerable children in our society.”

Shannon was a keen boxer who won Ulster and county titles with the Twin Towns boxing club.

Her remains were brought into the church by members of the club with a picture of the 15-year-old in the boxing ring sat on top of her white coffin.

As her body was taken away for burial in Castlefin Cemetery, family and friends released pink balloons just as they had for Erin’s funeral weeks earlier.