'Tory's death has left a huge void at the heart of our family'

17 yr old Tory Johnston who tragically died after taking ill at a Letterkenny nightclub

Greg Harkin

THE parents of a teenage girl who collapsed and died after a night out with her friends are absolutely distraught, her uncle has said.

Tory Johnston (17) died at Letterkenny General Hospital on Wednesday morning, several hours after being helped out of a local nightclub by worried security staff.

A post-mortem yesterday proved inconclusive.

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Tory's mum and dad, Helen and Sammy, and her 14-year-old sister Amy have been left devastated.

The girl's uncle, Joe Dorrian, a sergeant based at Letterkenny Garda Station, said the family is trying to come to terms with their loss.

"Tory's death has left a huge void at the heart of our whole family," Joe said.

"She was just a beautiful, beautiful girl. She loved her family, she loved her school and her friends and she loved life.

"It's a tragedy which could hit any family. I'm a policeman and it's happened to me.

"Tory was a normal teenage girl, she loved make-up and fashion and all those things.

"We are all absolutely devastated," he added.

Tory's body is expected to be released to her family today for a wake at their home at Bomany, just outside Letterkenny.

"It might be weeks before we find out what happened," added Joe.

Struggling

Fr Eamonn Kelly, a curate at St Eunan's Cathedral where Tory's funeral will be held this Sunday, said Tory's parents were struggling to come to terms with what happened.

"Tory took a seizure and hit her head but we don't know what happened after that other than she took another seizure in hospital and sadly passed away," said Father Kelly.

Insp Pat O'Donnell appealed for information from anyone who spoke to Tory at the Voodoo nightclub on Tuesday night or who may have photographs or video from social media.

"It is a very sad event and every parent's nightmare," he said.

"We are investigating a sudden death on behalf of the coroner at this stage."

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis completed a post-mortem last night.

Insp O'Donnell said the post-mortem was inconclusive and gardai are now awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

Gardai have been given access to all CCTV footage from the nightclub where staff are said to be "devastated" by Tory's death.

The popular teenager is being mourned at her school, Loreto Secondary School in Letterkenny, where staff have offered their sympathy to the family.