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‘Sick' Facebook page trolls Ellen Finnegan tragedy

Ellen Finnegan (18) died in a fire at her home in Castlewellan
Ellen Finnegan (18) died in a fire at her home in Castlewellan Ellen Finnegan (18) died in a fire at her home in Castlewellan

FACEBOOK trolls have been branded "sick" after setting up a fake tribute page mocking the tragic death of a teenager in a fire in Co Down.

Ellen Finnegan (18) died in a blaze in her flat above the family's butcher shop last Saturday – exactly three years since her mother's death from cancer.

The tragedy in Lower Square in the village of Castlewellan has devastated the community. The cause of the fire is still being examined.

But grieving family and friends have been dealt a further blow after the grammar school pupil's death was cruelly targeted by faceless online trolls.

A fake tribute page called 'In Memory of Ellen Finnegan' was set up on Facebook and was used to post vile and offensive messages mocking her tragic death.

Facebook has since removed the page about Ellen, a pupil at Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, following complaints from horrified internet users.

Facebook users in the Castlewellan community expressed their shock on Friday over the abusive fake memorial page.

One woman, who contacted the Irish News, said: "I am an ex-pupil of Assumption Grammar School myself and this page makes me sick. It would be great to find out who is actually behind this and have them deal with consequences.

"People I know have 'liked' the page, obviously thinking it was a real memorial page. However, the admin behind it is posting sickening comments."

Another woman wrote on Facebook: "My God whoever is behind that Ellen Finnegan page is a sick, sick person. Is this the world we are bringing our kids up in?"

Facebook notified users who made formal complaints about the page that it had been removed due to "displaying hate speech".

Ellen had been due to sit her A-Level exams and had recently been offered a place at the University of Liverpool.

She was described as a "young and vibrant" pupil with an enthusiasm for sport, enjoying camogie, football and cross-country running.

The 18-year-old also played the drums and was a member of a folk choir.

Requiem Mass was held on Tuesday at St Malachy's Church in Castlewellan, before Ellen was laid to rest in the family burial ground in Aughlisnafin.

Fr Sean Rogan had told how her father Bartley was taking solace from her last words to him, "I love you dad".