Caitlin McLaughlin mural: 'Ecstasy tablet took Londonderry teen's life'

Caitlin died after attending a music festival in June

The family of a teenage girl who died after taking an ecstasy tablet at a concert have warned other young people about the dangers of experimenting with drugs.

Caitlin McLaughlin, from Londonderry, died after attending a music festival in June.

A mural in her memory was unveiled in Galliagh on Friday - on what would have been her 17th birthday.

Caitlin's uncle, Mo Mahon, said the family was devastated by her death.

Speaking publicly for the first time to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme, Mr Mahon said his niece was a bubbly girl with a lovely smile.

"She was loyal, out-going and caring. She just loved life," he said.

Caitlin's aunt Lucy Mahon said the family want people to be aware of the risks associated with drug taking.

"It might only take one time, one time is all it took for Caitlin, and now we are left with the repercussions of what drugs do to people," she said.

The mural is a beautiful thing to have, Lucy Mahon said, but also hard for the family

Caitlin had travelled by bus to Belfast with her friends for the concert. Tragedy struck in its aftermath.

"She was having the time of her life," her uncle said. "What we know now is that she took an ecstasy tablet.

"She was on her way to the bus after the concert and she collapsed. Her friends thought she had gone over on her ankle.

"Caitlin had actually taken a heart attack. They did everything they could in hospital, but Caitlin passed away."

Hundreds of people joined Caitlin's family for the unveiling of the new mural

The mural dedicated to Caitlin was unveiled at Brookdale Park in Galliagh, where Caitlin grew up.

A special event and balloon release took place to mark her 17th birthday.

Ms Mahon said it was a "beautiful thing to have" but also hard for the family.

"We all live so close so we can all see it, both her grannies live in the street directly facing. This day 17 years ago Caitlin would have been brought into this street to come home, only just born."

'One wrong choice'

by BBC News NI's Kevin Sharkey in Derry

Caitlin McLaughlin's heartbroken family are finding it difficult to believe that's she's not with them to celebrate her 17th birthday today.

They are bereft since she died, their grief compounded by how "one wrong choice" took the life of "a funny, wee bubbly person".

This evening they have been joined here in Galliagh by hundreds of people from the local community for the unveiling of the new mural in her memory.

Together they want to raise awareness among young people here and elsewhere about the perils of using illegal drugs.

Caitlin's death was a "total shock" to her whole family, aunt Ciara McLaughlin said.

"It was the biggest shock of lives," she said.

Caitlin's aunt Ciara said the family are still dealing with the shock of the teenager's death

"Caitlin was never into anything like that. She was just a funny, bubbly wee person. We never thought for a minute this would happen."

Now the family want to raise as much awareness as they can, she added.

'Missing piece'

Mr Mahon said there were no words to describe the family's pain.

"We are a close family and it's like a jigsaw. After a piece goes missing, life will never be the same again," he said.

Caitlin's uncle, Mo Mahon, says the mural at Brookdale Park also keeps her memory alive

He added that the mural kept her memory alive but also has a message for others.

"Caitlin went out as a teenager to have fun. She experimented, took a drug and is no longer here.

"People do not know what they are taking. Caitlin will now be forever 16, which is heart-breaking.

"We don't want this to happen to another family."

Drugs Awareness

Caitlin's aunt Aileen said she wanted the message of Caitlin's death to reach teenagers.

"I am a parent myself. Teenagers will pass this mural every day in Galliagh - so they will know what happened to her, it's reminding them every day," she said.

"I hope the mural opens people's eyes to the danger of drugs and a young life gone too soon. She never even got to see her GCSE results."

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