Donegal tragedy girl still critical

A 14-year-old girl remained in a critical condition in hospital tonight two days after being discovered unconscious next to the dead body of her best friend in a field.

The girl, named locally as Alicia McGowan, was described as critical but stable after being found in the Co Donegal field near to an empty vodka bottle and morphine pills.

Meanwhile John Kelly, father of the dead girl, Geraldine Chambers, 14, reportedly denied claims that the girls had engaged in a suicide pact.

The 48-year-old builder told the Irish Mirror: ‘‘There is no way on earth either Geraldine or her friend intended to take their own lives.

‘‘That’s just ridiculous and it’s cruel even to make the suggestion.’’

Geraldine’s brother Colin, 24, who found the pair just hours after dropping them off for a night out, added: ‘‘I cannot get the image of the girls lying in that field out of my head.

‘‘I tried to wake them both but there was no reaction at all from Geraldine. Alicia was groaning but she was unconscious.

‘‘I ran up to the house to get help and also phone for an ambulance. But I knew in my heart at that stage Geraldine was dead.’’

Alicia was admitted to Letterkenny General Hospital after she was revived in the field in the village of Ballinbrait near Lifford. Geraldine was declared dead at the scene.

Gardai are awaiting the results of toxicology tests and are refusing to disclose the results of a post-mortem examination.

Detectives do not suspect foul play.

The girls were last seen in the village at around 11pm on Monday. Witnesses who may have seen them were urged to contact police.