Teen dies in field slumped beside friend

A TEENAGE girl, found unconscious in a field, was in intensive care last night, unaware her best friend was dead.

Alicia McGowan, granddaughter of the late Senator Patrick McGowan, was rushed to hospital after she was found with her friend Geraldine Chambers just a few hundred yards from their homes in the townland of Rossgier, a few miles from Lifford.

The two 14-year-olds were huddled together just inside the gate of the field when they were discovered by Geraldine’s brother around 9.40am yesterday.

He had driven his sister the short distance to her friend’s house on Sunday night, less than 11 hours earlier.

The young man, who is in his early twenties, was walking along the road from his home when he noticed the two girls slumped just inside the gate to the field. He immediately raised the alarm.

A passerby saved the life of Alicia after he gave her emergency first aid before she was taken to hospital. Her friend was declared dead at the scene.

Gardaí ruled out foul play but they would not comment on the cause of death. A post-mortem examination was carried out on Geraldine’s body yesterday evening.

It is believed the girls had been drinking spirits. Geraldine’s death is the second involving a teenager in the area inside a fortnight. The funeral of a teenage boy from nearby Convoy took place last week.

The grim discovery has stunned locals. Hughie Ferris, a barman at the Rossgier Inn, said the two girls were always hanging out with other teenagers on a wall outside the pub.

“They were just the best of pals. They were never any bother. It’s just very sad.”

Neighbour Charlie Clarke saw the girls sitting on a wall directly across from where they were found yesterday. He was stunned at what happened.

Members of the McGowan family gathered at Letterkenny General Hospital, where Alicia was taken into intensive care. She was understood to be in a stable condition last night. Her grandfather Patrick McGowan, who died in 1999, was a senator for 34 years and a member of Donegal County Council for nearly 40. Her uncle, also Patrick, is running in this year’s senate election race.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information about the incident to contact Letterkenny Garda Station. They want to speak to anyone who may have seen the girls on the previous evening or at any time up to 9.40am on Sunday.