Increase as more than 800 children contact Childline over Christmas 

The ISPCC said volunteers received calls on topics such as suicide, abuse, neglect, bereavement and loneliness from children this Christmas.

More than 800 children contacted Childline between December 23 and Christmas Day — a 12% increase on last year's figures.

According to new data from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC), 820 kids contacted the 24-hour helpline over the Christmas period.