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19th Mar 2019

Books of condolence to open for victims who died in Cookstown disco

Alan Loughnane

Cookstown tragedy

Three people lost their lives in the incident.

Books of condolence will open on Tuesday in memory of three teenagers who died outside of a disco on St Patrick’s Day.

Lauren Bullock, 17, Connor Currie, 16, and Morgan Barnard, 17, from Dungannon in Tyrone, died outside the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown following reports of a crush while queuing for the disco.

A 16-year-old girl is in a stable condition in hospital while two others were also treated for injuries following the incident.

The books of condolence will be opened at The Burnavon arts centre in Cookstown, at Ranfurly House, Dungannon, and at The Bridewell centre in Magherafelt according to RTÉ.

Police have urged anyone who might have information on the incident to contact them.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “I can understand that there may be some reluctance to contact police if you are underage, but please do not be concerned.

“We are investigating the deaths of three young people, young people just like you. That is our focus. We want to be able to give their families answers and your recollection of the events as they unfolded is crucial.”

Donaghmore GAA club opened its doors on Monday evening to offer support to young people affected by the tragic incident.

“The club and community of Donaghmore offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences to all those bereaved by the tragic events in Cookstown last night especially those closest to us,” the club said.

“The club will be open this evening at 7.30pm to offer support to the youth of the village who were witness to these tragic events.

“Our thoughts are also with the young people from the wider Tyrone area who were injured and thankfully recovering today.

“‘Is maol gualainn gan bhráthair’: we will all need each other now and in the difficult times ahead.”