My heart goes out to Raymond Heaslip today. His 18-year-old son Eden took his own life over a week ago after being bullied.
The death of this happy-go-lucky lad with everything to live for has shocked the villagers in Drumavaddy, Co Cavan.
But then just like beautiful Nicole “Coco” Fox, evil, nasty little people turned on him in a cowardly campaign of intimidation and bullying.
The poor lad couldn’t cope and didn’t start telling people about his ordeal until it was too late.
Then, tragically, he decided to end his own life.
Raymond would like gardai to investigate Eden’s death just like they did Nicole’s. In her case, people were afraid to come forward and the cops didn’t have enough evidence to charge the perpetrators who drove the 21-year-old to suicide.
The bullies seem to be getting away with it now and it is not right.
How do we hold the anonymous cowards to account and make them pay for the pain, suffering and deaths they are causing?
Raymond has suggested creating a national bullying confidential helpline, where anyone being victimised can call – with all complaints be followed up by gardai.
It is a great idea and one that should be taken seriously by the Justice Minister and the Government.
There is absolutely no doubt it will help save lives and catch the faceless, cowardly bullies responsible.
He has urged anyone with information about the people who were bullying his son to please contact gardai.
Raymond said: “I want any young people who saw this bullying happening to know they can go to gardai in confidence about it.
“I would like a confidential number made available that anyone who saw it could ring.
“We know people witnessed it, we saw the messages left on social media.
“We want to know they can go to gardai about this.”
Canon Mark Lidwill told mourners at his funeral service: “It is so terribly tragic that he should become a victim of words and deeds, and gross insensitivity, unkindness and cruelty.
"Those very things that were alien to Eden’s character and drove him to a dark place, beyond the reach of everyone , so he felt no alternative but to end his own life.”
There is a world of hell out there for many of our young people, taunted and tainted because in some cases they are quiet or different.
It is shocking and wrong. If you think your child is a bully please stop them.
If you think your son or daughter is a victim and in danger please report it to the gardai and get immediate help.
The sooner we make examples of the bullies and prosecute and charge them, only then will suicides like Eden and Nicole’s stop.
