Overwhelming support from across county for young girl
A SCHOOLGIRL who was allegedly attacked after months of bullying has been invited by bighearted Donegal people to recover in the county.
The victim, who is only 12 years old, was recently filmed in upsetting scenes that were then shared online to spark widespread condemnation.
Footage shows a girl being dragged to the ground by her hair and then kicked as she lay defenceless. A PSNI investigation is underway into the alleged assault at Strabane’s Canal Basin on July 17 past.
Strabane’s Canal Basin, where an alleged attack took place.
The schoolgirl’s parents and also a brother died when she was just six.
A family spokesperson, who has helped care for her along with the North’s Western Health and Social Care Trust, revealed in the aftermath of the alleged attack: “We have received messages and texts from people the length and breadth of Ireland and Britain.
“People I don’t even know have expressed their horror at what she has endured and offered their love and support.
“They have offered little gifts to cheer her up and offered us holiday accommodation if we want to take her away for a break and sent cards.
“We’re not sure yet whether we’ll take up any of the offers people have made. She loves Downings and Donegal and is always happy there.
“But perhaps in the future. Right now, she’s overwhelmed.
“The kindness people have shown her means, little by little, she’s getting her smile back, and that’s all we want. Our focus is simply on surrounding her with love and support.”
He added: “When we first saw her [after the alleged attack], we noticed cuts and bruises.
“It wasn’t until footage appeared on social media – where it has been viewed more than 1.4 million times – that we realised just how serious it was.
“It is absolutely heartbreaking. She later began suffering headaches, so we took her to hospital, where doctors confirmed she had sustained a mild concussion.”
He continued: “Over the past nine months she has been subjected to horrific bullying.
“She has been called names, mocked because she’s an orphan, had her school timetable photographed so the bullies knew where she was throughout the day, targeted through fake social media accounts, and physically assaulted on more than one occasion.”
But in recent days, the young girl has received bighearted offers of support.
The spokesperson told the Strabane Chronicle: “She has been showered with kindness in the wake of the assault.
“One card simply told her: ‘You now have thousands of mummies and daddies willing to stand up for you.’
“She turned to me and asked, ‘Why does everyone hate me?’
“Thanks to the goodness of so many people, she now knows she is loved, not hated.”
The North’s Western Health and Social Care Trust stated that it has parental responsibility for the girl under article 50 of Children Order NI 1995.
Derry City and Strabane District Council mayor, Cllr Grace Uí Niallais, visited the young girl this week to also offer support.
Derry City and Strabane District Council mayor, Cllr Grace Uí Niallais, visited the young girl this week. Photo – Derry City Strabane District Council/ Tom Heaney, nwpresspics.