Father of young Man killed - NekNomination

[Andy284]

Father of young man killed during 'Neknomination' stunt pleads for other youngsters not to take part in the game

2 Feb 2014 18:37
Jonny Byrne's father, Joe, was speaking after the body of his son was recovered from the River Barrow

The father of a young man killed after taking part in an online drinking game has pleaded for youngsters not to take part in the craze.

Jonny Byrne's father, Joe, was speaking after his 19-year-old son was pulled from the River Barrow after reportedly taking part in the 'Neknominate' challenge.

Mr Byrne said: "I'm pleading to every youngster to think of the things they are doing.

"It has cost my son his life, The whole family is devastated and our lives will never be the same again.

"I hope this message is heeded, because for us, life is virtually over."

The body of hurling player, Jonny Byrne, 19, was recovered from the River Barrow near Milford Bridge this morning.

It's believed Jonny, from Leighlinbridge, had been playing the game before jumping into the river last night.

The social media craze, which is said to have started in Australia, involves people being nominated to down booze and then posting a video of them doing it online.

They then nominate someone else to do likewise.

RTE
Patrick and Joe Byrne
Children’s Minister, Frances Fitzgerald condemned the neknominations craze.

She said: “It is a highly dangerous – potentially lethal – phenomenon, where an inappropriate peer pressure element adds to the risks.

“Above all, it represents further evidence that we still have a long way to go in de-normalising binge drinking among Irish youth.

“Young people take their cues from our broader society’s general attitude to drinking, and the popularity of Neknominations shows we still have a long way to go in developing a healthy societal attitude to the consumption of alcohol.”

Jonny's death comes after the death of Dublin DJ Ross Cummins, 22, which was also linked to the social media drinking game.

Ross, 22, was found unconscious in a house in Dublin city centre in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The DJ was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Last night Jonny's brother Patrick posted a statement on his Facebook page asking people to stop taking part in the deadly drinking game.

Rockstar Bressie also warned of the dangers of the stunt on his Twitter page.


Carlow GAA has paid tribute to the young man, who was a member of Naomh Brid hurling club, describing him as a "warrior on the pitch."

It added that he was "a rock in defence and gave 100 per cent on the pitch every time.

“A kind soul well liked throughout Carlow especially in hurling, he was a great hurler and footballer, a gentleman and an even greater friend and we are heartbroken”.

A spokesman for Alcohol Action Ireland last night warned people to be aware of the dangers.

He said: “While some may see this as a game, the consequences of drinking large volumes of alcohol in a short period of time can have very real consequences for those taking part.

“We would call on people to look after their health and well-being by not participating in this ‘game’ and to protect their friends from the serious risks associated with it by not nominating them to take part.”

[goodfuturereinc]

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