20 Comments

• mugsy1975 | May 06, 2011, 08:59 AM EDT

  i think its a tragedy that people in that neighborhood dont come together and handle the situation themselves!

• bootsjoyce4 | May 05, 2011, 10:11 AM EDT

  It's a shame. There should be tougher penalties. In an Irish American neighborhood, the people should not let this happen to one of their own. I don't know all the details only that a young person is dead on account of bullies and apathy.

• regina818 | May 04, 2011, 01:45 PM EDT

  And what about the lack of accountability by SHHS's "professionals" who played dumb, deaf, and blind? The school greatly failed ALL of these kids, especially Phoebe. SM gets mere probation and community service....like that was ever enough?!!!!! What you give, you get....his day will come through life's natural consequences IF indeed his lack of apology shows lack of remorse.

• oldseapine1 | May 01, 2011, 12:17 PM EDT

  I was deeply saddened when I first heard of Phoebe's death. i'm not sure what is greater than 'deeply saddened' but whatever it is that is what I felt when to plead their case the bullies continually made reference to Phoebe's troubled past. My God is this not the real reason to leave her free from harrassment? The boys who had sex with her are twice to blame. She was a 14/15 year old girl which more than equals statuatory rape. The girlfriends of the rapists must sincerely believe that Phoebe was an alluring seductress that their men were truly powerless to resist. Now. I feel sick. The soda can to the head has been identified as a trigger for her suicide but I honestly feel that the senior who seduced/raped her, standing with his 'girlfriend' calling her a slut and a whore must have been immeasureaby painful. No wonder she lost faith in herself and in life in general. May she rest in peace. She has taught us much.

• mamaginnty | Apr 29, 2011, 04:20 PM EDT

  Here in Ireland the schools are taking a very serious view on bullying, and about time. Children are told to speak to a peer if they are being bullied or see someone being bullied. Parents are taking a more active part as well. It starts at an early age so children at junior school are told it is wrong. I may be old but I do step in when I see bullying.

• eiriamach | Apr 29, 2011, 04:52 AM EDT

  Bullies succeed because too many of us are "bystanders" and because weak peers identify with the bullies. Don't be a bystander: if you see evidence of bullying, say something or take some action, like the IC posters who call the bully out on his "arrogance" and worse. Probably teachers, school personnel, and friends knew about the Phoebe Prince bullying and told themselves that someone else would do something about it--a tragic mistake! Some helped the bully or cheered him on because they deluded themselves that if they helped him, he would not turn his sadistic impulses against them. Their identification with the aggressor only told him they were weak, and he drew them in as accomplices. We need to send a message to the bullies' helpers, teen-aged, young adult, or middle-aged: you're helping to create a monster who boasts that he has your help, and you're kidding yourselves if you think you or your friends or other women will be safe if you close ranks around him. Find some self-respect and figure out how to say that simple two-letter word "no."

• bogsidebunny | Apr 29, 2011, 02:57 AM EDT

  Maybe Mr O'Dowd would be happy if the "bullies" were found guilty and sentenced to DEATH?.....Nah, he just another "anti-death penalty", hypocrite who want's to make someone, anyone pay for a person's choice to kill themselves.

• Pittsburghkid | Apr 28, 2011, 09:43 PM EDT

  Phoebe Prince had mental problems. Up until the 70's homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder. After the 70's, homosexuality was no longer classified as a mental disorder. Phoebe Prince could have gotten treatment, if he was born sooner. Today there is treatment for homosexuality, but Liberals condemn the treatment.

• LoyalCitizen | Apr 28, 2011, 05:28 PM EDT

  Its OK for Irish Politicians to steal from Social Welfare Recipients and deny them protection by law, a crime against humanity. Its OK to introduce illegally opinions into Irish Law and destroy Ireland with unknown amounts of white collar crime. When an alleged case of bullying takes place Mr O'Dowd considers it a disgrace for people to go for a lesser sentence. Hypocrisy in action.

• ciarrai | Apr 28, 2011, 05:07 PM EDT

  Aren't there any vigilantes out there who might come in handy right about now? Isn't this the type of situation that it might be employed in and with good results?

• biggles008 | Apr 28, 2011, 12:44 PM EDT

  That's modern upbringing for you ,and it's getting worse. The world was a grand place to be 60 years ago. I'm glad I'm old.I wouldn't like to be facing it now.

• jamieLM | Apr 28, 2011, 12:17 PM EDT

  It's shameful and a disgrace, but there is no real justice on earth. A lifetime in prison wouldn't bring Phoebe back. Life often has a way of later "biting people in the butt" who don't aren't held accountable for their actions by the law and/or who don't change their behavior. Although I agree with the posts below, this case is shaping up to be a fine example of how really unfair life can be.

• flameangel | Apr 28, 2011, 11:38 AM EDT

  These kids need to be taught a tough lesson NOW or this will continue into adulthood....there are people who are bullies all their lives because they were not taught as a child that it is wrong, they have no idea what a person who has been bullied goes thru, you carry that with you always. I can still remember the names of the people who bullied me when I was a child in school and I am almost 40. It stays with you always!

• Aine2093 | Apr 28, 2011, 11:08 AM EDT

  Unfortunately although they say children have rights, it is up to the law enforcement to enforce the laws. If this were to happen to an adult in a working situation you can bet there would be justice served. The employer would not want to be seen to side with the perpetrators !

• concannon | Apr 28, 2011, 11:08 AM EDT

  I don't know the details of the plea agreement, but the parents of the perpetrators should be held financially responsible. A civil hearing with a hefty financial fine may be what it takes for parents to assume responsibility for their childrens' actions.

• quixotic | Apr 28, 2011, 11:04 AM EDT

  Phoebe Prince committed suicide because of the dreadful bullying. There is a clear cause and effect there. The Irish girl had a troubled past, but would never have taken the ultimate step were it not for the mean girls and boys that made her life a misery. How do you know that? I do not condone bullying in any way. I believe these kids did evil acts. However, such behavior is rampant in schools here and, I bet, in Ireland. It is generally dismissed by adults. When considering punishment, it is absolutely necessary to consider intent. They certainly did not kill her -- she killed herself. The bullying played some part in it. She felt she was not popular and was not accepted. That may have 'put her over the top'. There is not one action that has been reported about these kids that, in themselves, adds up to any kind of crime that would be punished more than they are getting now. They DID NOT kill her. If the adults ignored the issue then they should be punished severely -- at least by losing their jobs. There are millions of kids, right now, suffering like Phoebe -- what are we doing about them.

• bridiegirl | Apr 28, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT

  This is about the norm for our justice system today.

• jamieLM | Apr 28, 2011, 10:38 AM EDT

  You're right, Mr. O'Dowd. It's a total disgrace and shame that these kids got off so easily. It's hard to say what's going to happen to them as they go forward with their lives if they haven't learned a lesson from this and have no guilt over their part in Phoebe's tragic death. Life has a way of catching up to people who think they got away with something. In America, we say "it comes back to bite you in the butt", but there's no real justice on earth. No amount of punishment is going to bring Phoebe back. Let's face it; life is unfair.

• Helen Ferone | Apr 28, 2011, 10:09 AM EDT

  These children are a product of their up-bringing, and should be held responsible for their actions.

• cillowen | Apr 28, 2011, 09:40 AM EDT

  getting away with sick is how she runs, eh what!