Ronan Hughes: Tragic teen 'kills himself after cyber-bullies trick him into posting images online'

The 17-year-old from Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was found dead on Friday, police said

Heartbreaking: Ronan is thought to have killed himself after cyber-bullies taunted him

A teenage boy has killed himself after being tricked into posting pictures of himself online.
Police have launched an investigation after 17-year-old Ronan Hughes from Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was found dead on Friday.
It is understood the young man had told his parents about being a victim of cyber-bullying and had made a complaint to police.
Superintendent Mike Baird, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said: "Our enquiries into this tragedy are continuing, however, it is understood the schoolboy took his own life after he had been tricked into posting images on a social networking site."
According to the Irish Mirror, Parish priest Fr Benny Fee said the close-knit rural community had been left stunned and blamed "faceless individuals" for intimidating the teenager.
Fr Fee said: "He did not take his own life. His life was taken by these faceless people who put the child into a burning building that he felt he could not escape."
"It is a total and absolute tragedy but it is a different kind of tragedy because there is an element of cyber-crime involved.
"It would frighten any of us how children can be the victim of these faceless individuals.

Shocking: Ronan Hughes was a pupil at St Joseph's Grammar in Donaghmore, County Tyrone

"These people had something that they were using as a lever to frighten the child.
"But he had told his parents and they went to the police. It is just so tragic that these faceless people have robbed a family and community of a much loved child."



Meanwhile, police have issued a warning for young people to stay safe online.
Superintendent Baird said: "Police are continuing to liaise with a number of statutory bodies and community representatives.
"Officers have spoken to pupils at a school in the area and offered advice regarding safe internet use and any type of virtual interaction including social media sites, chatrooms and through interactive games.
"If anyone has experienced anything of a similar nature or has received any inappropriate images or links, it is important that they contact police or tell a trusted adult.
"By doing this you will be helping prevent further such incidents. You will not get into trouble.
"We all deserve to be able to use the internet to learn, explore and connect with each other. But all of us need to be aware of the risks involved in doing so, especially on social media."