Jessica Moore took ill at her debs. "People are just numbed''.
Tributes have begun pouring in for the teenage girl who passed away after becoming unwell at a Debs dance in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
Jessica Moore (19), from Loughrea, Co Galway, has been described as a "vibrant and talented girl" with "many, many friends".
Emergency services were alerted to Gullane's Hotel where the Debs ball was taking place at around 2am yesterday.
The teenager, who was due to collect her Leaving Cert results today, was treated at the scene and transferred to Portiuncula Hospital, but she was pronounced dead a short time later.
A death notice for the teenager stated that she died suddenly "to the inexpressible grief of her heartbroken parents Brendan and Catherine".
She is also survived by her brother and sister, grandparents as well as her wider and extended family.
Jessica Moore was due to collect her Leaving Cert results.Shock.
Local Fianna Fáil TD Anne Rabbitte said the area is in shock following the tragedy: "My constituents in Loughrea and the surrounding areas are numbed and saddened by the news that broke this morning that a young Leaving Cert lady who was attending her Debs night.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with her parents and siblings, and also on the eve of the Leaving Cert, with her school friends.
"People are just numbed, they're saddened," she said.
Yesterday at St Raphael's College, where Ms Moore was a student, a memorial with her picture surrounded by several candles was placed in the school's hallway.
Local gardaí are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Ms Moore's death and are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the course of their investigation.
A funeral Mass will take place on Thursday at 1pm in St Patrick's Church, Bullaun.
