A 17-year-old from Tyrone has reportedly taken his own life after being tricked into posting photographs on the Internet.
Ronan Hughes, described as a “quiet and modest lad” who played GAA locally, passed away on Friday and will be laid to rest following a ceremony tomorrow morning.
According to The Belfast Telegraph, police in the Mid-Ulster area have confirmed that Hughes “took his own life after he had been tricked into posting images on a social networking site”.
Local priest Fr Benny Fee described his death as a “total and absolute tragedy”, adding “He did not take his own life. His life was taken by these faceless people who put the child into a burning building that he felt he could not escape.”.
“It would frighten any of us how children can be the victim of these faceless individuals. These people had something that they were using as a lever to frighten the child,” he said
“But he had told his parents and they went to the police. It is just so tragic that these faceless people have robbed a family and community of a much loved child.”
Police are now believed to be investigating the circumstances surrounding Hughes’ death and have spoken to pupils at the school about safe Internet use.
