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Club and community ‘devastated’ at loss of ‘much loved’ Connor in Greenvale Hotel tragedy

Prayer service and counselling in aftermath of St Patrick's disco tragedy which claimed three young lives

Connor Currie who died in a tragic incident at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown

A Co Tyrone gaelic football club has paid its own tribute to a “much loved” player who lost his life in the Greenvale Hotel tragedy.

Connor Currie was one of three teenagers who died at a St Patrick’s night disco.

Edendork GFC shared their own tribute on social media, saying as a club and community they were “deeply saddened and devastated” to learn of the tragedy.

The club described him as a “much loved and highly thought of player and member”.

Two boys and a girl died following the incident at the Greenvale Hotel on Sunday night, while two other teenagers were also treated in hospital.

The police said there were reports of a crush at the scene and inquiries indicated that a large group of young people were waiting to enter the St Patrick’s Day disco when the tragedy occurred.

The community has been shocked and left heartbroken by the loss of such young lives.

Edendork GFC offered sympathy to the Currie and Kelly families, while urging young people affected to speak to someone about how they are feeling. Counselling is being made available.

The club paid tribute, saying: “Connor will forever be remembered with the greatest affection by all associated with our club and indeed the wider Edendork community.

“We are all in shock at Connor’s untimely passing, to lose a dear friend and team mate is one of the most difficult life experiences you will have to face.

“Should any of our young people need any assistance or someone to speak to in the time ahead please call; Samaritans, official helpline of the GAA and available 24-7, on their free-phone number 116 123 Or Lifeline, a crisis response helpline service operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0808 808 8000.

“As a club, it is important that we keep together and support each other through this difficult time.

“There will be a prayer service this evening at the Des Fox Pavilion at 6pm, and professional counselling available until 9pm.”

Earlier, St Patrick’s College in Dungannon paid tribute to 17-year-old Lauren Bullock, the first of the three victims to be named.

Principal Catherine McHugh described Lauren as “a beautiful girl, a shining light in our school community”.

And she added: “She was a leader among her peers and a quiet strong and loyal presence. A treasured friend and capable young lady with a bright future.”

A PSNI spokesperson appealed for information and asked parents to encourage their children who were there to come forward and speak to them.

“We are continuing to interview people who were there to establish the full facts and would appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened to contact police on 101 ext 52014,” he said.

“We would also ask motorists who have dash cam footage, as well as anyone who captured the incident on their mobile phone through photographs or video, to upload them to Major Incident Public Portal https://mipp.police.uk/

Read more: Armagh student’s heartbreaking account of hotel crush which claimed life of friend

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