Eleven-year-old Ciara Doherty was found dead by her mother in the bathroom of her home in the Mount Eagles area on Friday evening.

Father John Forsythe, who visited the family, has described the death as "a tragic accident".

"Her mother knows her intimately, obviously, and she said that she didn't mean this. She absolutely didn't mean this to happen at all."

"They are in a very dark place. This wound will be in their hearts for the rest of their days."

A second family are also suffering deeply in the area, after losing a child through suicide just the day before.

Martin Rooney, 13, from Twinbrook took his own life last Thursday.

A talented footballer who captained his local team Glendowan FC, Martin was laid to rest by his devastated family after a funeral service at St Luke's Parish Church on Monday.

Father Forsythe said there is a sense of shock in the community at the double tragedy.

"The impact of a young person dying like this pulls at the heart strings of everybody."

Carmel McCartan, principal of St Louise's College where Ciara was a pupil said her death had come as a shock to all within the school community.

"Ciara was a very kind, gifted, intelligent girl who was full of life and extremely popular with pupils and staff alike. The suddenness of her death has added to our collective sense of loss."

"We will continue to work closely with our pupils who have been affected by this terrible tragedy and we will provide ongoing support and counselling to them through our Pastoral Support Centre. We know that the school community will pull together to provide support during these difficult times."

Imelda Jordan, the principal of St Colm's High School which Martin attended said his "tragic death had deeply affected and saddened the close knit school community."

"He was a very popular boy with a large friendship group because of his outgoing and friendly personality."

"As a keen and talented soccer player he was respected by his team mates, both on and off the field," she added.

Annie Armstrong from the Colin Neighbourhood Partnership said community and health groups met over the weekend in the wake of the deaths.

"This is the third time we have had an incident like this in the past year. As a community we are trying to be as resilient as possible. We need to do everything in our power to get over this."

"We need to ensure there are services and help for people who might be feeling depressed or suicidal."

Plans have now been made to provide additional support to young people in the coming week, targeting schools and other youth settings.

The Colin Neighbourhood Office at the Dairy Farm Centre will remain open each evening until 8pm this week for anyone needing advice, help or support.

Ciara will be laid to rest on Wednesday after Requiem Mass at the Christ the Redeemer Church.