A distraught Dungannon mother, whose teenage son was found dead in on Monday morning, has laid the blame for his death at the door of the PSNI.
Matthew McCallan, 15, was reported missing at 3.30am on Sunday, when he failed to arrive home from an event in the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona on Saturday night. He had last been seen at 1.20am.
His body was subsequently recovered from a ditch two miles from centre at approximately 11.45am on Monday.
His mother, Frances McCallan, sharing on social media, said: “My son is dead because the Police Service of Northern Ireland did nothing to help in the first ten to twelve hours of going missing; I told them it was totally out of character, yet hours went by and no one listened.
She added: “My friends and the Fintona community gathered the necessary CCTV evidence. These people went above and beyond and were an amazing help. This can’t happen again, another parent can’t feel the pain I feel. Please share, so we can make change and prevent this happening to another innocent soul.”
Fiona Donohoe, the mother of Noah Donohoe, offered her support to another grieving mother.
She wrote: “When will we say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. OUR CHILDREN MATTER. #PSNI This child was only 15 .Please stand up against #MISSINGPERSONFATIGUE #JusticeForOurYoungPeople. Sending love to this beautiful boys family and friends. I for one am here to help and so is Noah.”
The PSNI has been contacted for comment.
Dungannon mum’s tribute to her ‘beautiful son’ Matthew McCallan
Heartbreak as missing Dungannon teenager Matthew McCallan found dead
