DANGEROUS…A young man taking part in the ‘neknomination’ drinking game
THE drinking game craze that has been linked to the deaths of two in the South, and is popular in Fermanagh, has been described as an ‘attention seeking’ game that could have ‘catastrophic consequences’.
Two deaths, in Carlow and Dublin, have been linked to the game which has spread across the island in the last number of weeks.
The ‘Neknomination’ craze is thought to have originated in Australia, and has spread across Ireland over the past number of weeks, including into Fermanagh.
It involves the drinking of a pint of alcohol and spirits, which is videoed and uploaded online, and then friends of that person are nominated to continue the chain.
Often, the person nominated will attempt to outdo the previous person.
And, if someone nominated refuses to take part, they can often expect to be subjected to peer pressure.
A young person living locally, who did not wish to be named, said that while the game can be looked as ‘only a bit of fun’, it’s the competitive nature of it that is heightening its danger.
“I think people are looking more at ‘what can I do next?’ – it’s attention seeking – or for more ‘likes’ on Facebook.”
The brother of Jonny Byrne, who was 19, from Carlow, and died after jumping into the River Barrow in Carlow on Saturday, has made calls for the craze to end.
Jonny’s family admitted that he had been playing the ‘Neknomination’ game.
His brother said: “It can do nothing for my family, the tragedy has already happened to our family, but if I can stop it happening to one other family, to save them from the heartache and pain we’re going through right now, that’s all I can do.”
The Enniskillen young person added: “I think it’s a wake up call hearing that some people/person has died, because our generation doesn’t really understand what’s going on, on the inside.”
Mannix Magee, of SOLACE in Irvinestown, who works with addictions including alcohol, questioned why people felt the need to upload the videos online, just to pick up ‘likes’ on Facebook.
“Just because it is on social media doesn’t mean a lot of people are doing it.
“Secondly, it is highly dangerous to be mixing alcohol and large amounts of alcohol and drinking it in a short space of time could have a dangerous impact on your body and the internal organs.”
He also referred to positive spin-off campaigns, where random acts of kindess are used in a similar ‘chain’ way to the ‘Neknomination’ videos.
And, UUP Councillor, Raymond Farrell, who is a mental health practitioner, appealed to young people here to ‘think and think again’ before getting involved.
“I do know that there is an element of bullying and peer pressure involved here, but when you reflect that such activity could cost you your life, the risk is not worth taking,” he said.
“Lives with so much potential have already been lost and I don’t want to see any family hearing terrible news about the death of their son or daughter.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere