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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Teen suicide pact 'in operation' | Teen suicide pact 'in operation' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A Northern Ireland psychologist has said he is in no doubt a "sizeable suicide pact" surrounds a spate of deaths in County Armagh. | |
| Dr Arthur Cassidy has been working with young people from Laurelvale and the surrounding area after the suicides of three 15-year-old boys within a month. | Dr Arthur Cassidy has been working with young people from Laurelvale and the surrounding area after the suicides of three 15-year-old boys within a month. |
| The most recent death was last Friday night. | The most recent death was last Friday night. |
| However, a local clergyman said he did not believe there was a suicide pact among pupils in the area. | However, a local clergyman said he did not believe there was a suicide pact among pupils in the area. |
| Dr Cassidy believes up to 12 teenagers are involved in the exclusively male pact which "involves agreed dates". | Dr Cassidy believes up to 12 teenagers are involved in the exclusively male pact which "involves agreed dates". |
| "We've had young people coming to us crying, and saying that they fear their friend is going to be next," said Dr Cassidy. | "We've had young people coming to us crying, and saying that they fear their friend is going to be next," said Dr Cassidy. |
| All three of the teenagers who have taken their own lives in the Laurelvale/Tandragee area within the last month were pupils at Craigavon Senior High School. | All three of the teenagers who have taken their own lives in the Laurelvale/Tandragee area within the last month were pupils at Craigavon Senior High School. |
| 'No explanation' | 'No explanation' |
| Dr Cassidy said the suicides have "undoubtedly been assisted by research done on the internet" where such information is widely available. | Dr Cassidy said the suicides have "undoubtedly been assisted by research done on the internet" where such information is widely available. |
| "We've been trying to just be there for the young people, listen to their problems and show them that help is available," he said. | "We've been trying to just be there for the young people, listen to their problems and show them that help is available," he said. |
| "My advice for parents in the area and indeed elsewhere would be spend more time your with children and be on the look-out for any radical changes in behaviour." | "My advice for parents in the area and indeed elsewhere would be spend more time your with children and be on the look-out for any radical changes in behaviour." |
| Dr Cassidy added that parents should "be especially aware of new friends without any logical explanation." | Dr Cassidy added that parents should "be especially aware of new friends without any logical explanation." |
| However, the Reverend Brian Harper said while there was no explanation for what had happened, he did not think there had been a suicide pact, but that rumours were causing problems. | However, the Reverend Brian Harper said while there was no explanation for what had happened, he did not think there had been a suicide pact, but that rumours were causing problems. |
| "The community has gone into freefall hysteria over the weekend," said the local minister. | "The community has gone into freefall hysteria over the weekend," said the local minister. |
| "Parents have been told that their children are dead. Children are receiving text messages that their best friends are dead. | "Parents have been told that their children are dead. Children are receiving text messages that their best friends are dead. |
| "They are going absolutely hysterical, and once text messaging starts, it flies through the whole community. | "They are going absolutely hysterical, and once text messaging starts, it flies through the whole community. |
| "There hasn't been a single bit of truth to any of the rumours." | "There hasn't been a single bit of truth to any of the rumours." |