Girl, 15, found hanging at school

A community was in shock tonight following the death of a 15-year-old girl at a community school in Meath.

The teenager was found hanging in the toilets of Boyne Community School in Trim by fellow students.

The school was closed by lunchtime and all students were sent home.

Local Fine Gael councillor Peter Higgins said he was shocked and horrified by the girl’s death. He extended his deepest sympathies to her family.

“I’m horrified for the family and I’m horrified for the people in the school.

“It’s a very well run school,” he said.

There were fears among teachers in the Trim area that the death of the girl may lead to a copycat effect.

Mr Higgins urged students to seek help if they were struggling with problems like bullying, low self-esteem or exams.

“It’s so important for kids who have problems to tell someone and confide in them. There is help available,” he said.

The level of suicides in Ireland is now one of the highest in the world, with between 450 and 500 people taking their lives each year.

The number of suicides among 15 to 24-year-olds is the fifth highest among the 25 EU member states.