The government has pledged EUR500,000 to help deal with the problem of bullying at school, which can evolve to become cyberbullying online.

The issue has been brought to the attention of the wider Irish public once again after the tragic death of Shannon Gallagher, who committed suicide less than two months after her sister Erin took her own life, believed to be because she was being bullied.

Councillor Jim Long, the former Mayor of Limerick, told the Limerick Leader that the government has "at last recognised the very serious problem of bullying in our schools".

Cllr Long explained that he had experience of dealing with parents who are anxious that their child may be being bullied and that the act can cause "huge stress" for the victim, families and the school.

He also suggested that many bullies start out as friends of their victims.

Paul Patton, chief executive of Limerick's vocational educational committee, welcomed the government grant and praised the anti-bullying initiatives that are already in place at many schools.

Written by Donal Walsh.

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