A young girl wrapped her Christmas presents and wrote a note to her mother just a short time before being found dead by suicide at a foster home in Co Donegal.
Shannon Gallagher was aged 15 when she died on December 12th, 2012, just weeks after her younger sister Erin (13) also took her own life. The inquest of her sister in 2016 heard concerns that Erin was being bullied online and in school.
Details of Shannon's last days were given at an inquest into her death in Letterkenny on Wednesday.
Among those at the inquest were Shannon's mother Lorraine, grandfather John as well as foster parents Gerard and Karen Doherty in whose home she died.
Mr and Mrs Doherty gave details of finding Shannon dead at their home at Stranamuck, Castlefin at about 11.40pm.
The inquest was told that Shannon had agreed to move in with a foster family as herself and her mother had been arguing a lot following her sister’s death. Both agreed that it would give them some time and space apart to help each other.
Normal teenager
Karen Doherty told the inquest how she had found Shannon to be a normal teenager who mixed well with her family from when she arrived on November 30th. She recalled how she often spoke about her late sister and how important it was not to be influenced by other people.
She said on the day she died, Shannon had been viewing phone videos of Erin but showed no signs of being unhappy. They had been wrapping presents and Shannon went back down to her bedroom at about 10.30pm.
Mrs Doherty went to Shannon’s room to see if she would like a cup of tea but her light was off and the key was missing from the door.
She phoned Shannon but could not get an answer and after finding another key, Shannon was found in her room lifeless.
All agencies who gave evidence reiterated that the Doherty family had been excellent foster parents for Shannon during the time she spent at their home.
Solicitor for Shannon’s mother Lorraine, Patsy Gallagher, asked the Dohertys if they had been told by social workers that Shannon had tried to self-harm which resulted in her being hospitalised.
Previous self-harm
Mr and Mrs Doherty said they could not recall being told that Shannon had previously tried to self-harm on October 23rd, four days before her sister Erin died on October 27th. Ms Doherty said there was no indication that Shannon had any inclination to take her own life.
However social worker Karen McCormack said her recollection was that the Dohertys had been told there had been incidents of self-harm but did not specify the date.
“Based on the information that the foster carers were relaying and my meetings and home visits and keeping a steady eye on the case, we definitely had no indication that Shannon would do what she did,” she said.
Psychiatrist Dr Don McDwyer also confirmed that he had five consultation sessions with Shannon before her death but said her moods and demeanour were improving when she went into foster care.
Mr Emlyn Hughes, principal social worker with the Tusla , said they were fully aware that Shannon was a high risk and that risk was reflected in their actions. He said that normally a child in foster care would receive one visit in the first month. He said the foster carer was in the house five times in the 12 days she was in foster care.
He added “ It really was a unique response to a unique situation. I have no shadow of doubt that while we did not go into details they would have been aware of the risk that this child would have needed monitoring above and beyond the norm.”
The jury of six men and six women found unanimously that Shannon had died as a result of suicide.
The jury foreperson said: “We were a bit shocked that only one visit required by Tusla to children in foster care within the first month. We feel that one is not enough,” she said.
Coroner Dr Denis McCauley said: “This is a dreadful case and we know Lorraine lost both Erin and Shannon and I don’t think any one us can comprehend that dreadful tragedy. We saw in this case that this inter-agency action tried their best but the result was not what we were hoping for,” he said.
He urged any young people who are feeling down to speak to a friend, an adult or a teacher .
*If you have been affected by anything in this article, help and support is available from the Samaritans on freephone 116123, or email jo@samaritans.org ot phone Childline on 1800-666666