Shock at sudden death of teenage girl on night out

A town is in shock after the sudden and unexplained death of a 17-year-old girl.

Tory Johnston collapsed at a nightclub in Co Donegal in the early hours of yesterday morning. Hours later she was pronounced dead at nearby Letterkenny General Hospital.

The exact circumstances surrounding the death of the popular student are still not known. Witnesses said she suffered a number of episodes of what appeared to be seizures.

A postmortem was expected to be carried out late last night. She had been out socialising with friends at the Voodoo Nightclub at Main St in Letterkenny. It is understood she collapsed and was brought outside the premises by security staff and placed on a bench for some air.

An ambulance was called but it is understood that Tory appeared to be feeling OK again. However, minutes later, it is believed she had another seizure and was rushed to hospital, where she died just after 6.30am.

Tory was one of two daughters to well-known couple Sammy and Helen Johnston. The family live at Bomany just a few kilometres outside Letterkenny.

Friends described Tory as a very outgoing but sensible girl. She was about to go into sixth year at Loreto Convent in Letterkenny and had been made a prefect.

The mayor of Letterkenny, Gerry McMonagle, said his thoughts were with the family. “It is simply a tragedy. You send children out and you think they’re safe but you just never know. It’s so sad,” he said.

Gardaí held a conference to discuss the death but made no further comment last night. They are expected to interview a number of people including those who may have been socialising with Tory before her death.

The funeral will take place on Sunday at St Eunan’s Cathedral in Letterkenny.