Gofundme page raises £7,000 for devastated parents of teenager Matthew McCallan who 'has left a huge pain and sorrow in all of our lives'

The news comes after funeral details were published for the tragic teenager and a senior police officer said the circumstances around his weekend death ‘will be examined and lessons learned’.

The page, started by a C Currie from Dungannon explains: “It is with great sadness and heartache to announce the devastating loss of Matthew who was sadly taken far too soon on 4th December 2022.

"Matthew is a loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend and it has left a huge pain and sorrow in all of our lives.

“We have created this go fund me page for others who wish to support and contribute towards Matthew’s celebration of life and to help support Matthew’s family in the weeks ahead.

"We understand this support is a small drop in the ocean for the pain and suffering we wish we could prevent, but we know the support of friends, family and the community will mean so much to Matthews family.

“Rest in peace Matthew keep er lit !”

According to a death notice in funeraltimes.com Matthew Peter McCallan from Dungannon will be buried after Requiem Mass on Sunday at 2pm at St Malachys Church, Edendork in the adjoining cemetery.

The death notice adds that his death is ‘very deeply regretted by his heartbroken Father, Mother, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, cousins and entire family circle.’

The news comes after it was revealed that members of the McCallan family are to meet senior PSNI officers over ‘the family’s concerns regarding the initial police response in the search’.

The PSNI revealed this fact yesterday as they contacted the Police Ombudsman after becoming aware of criticism by the heartbroken mother of Matthew McCallan that they did not act quickly enough.

Yesterday, on social media, Frances McCallan posted: “What’s on my mind.... 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 and 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.”

The PSNI were asked to respond and in response they issued a statement saying that detectives in the Criminal Investigation Department are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of 15-year-old Matthew McCallan from the Dungannon area.

The statement added that his body was discovered in the Tattyreagh Road area of Fintona shortly before 12 noon yesterday, Monday 5th December.

Detective Superintendent Gareth Talbot said: “Our thoughts remain with Matthew’s devastated family.

"The pain they are experiencing is difficult to comprehend.

"A number of specially trained officers are providing support to them at this tragic time.

“We are aware of the family’s concerns regarding the initial police response in the search for Matthew and the family have agreed to meet two senior officers to discuss.

“Due to the family’s concerns we have decided at an early stage to make a notification to the Office of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland, for their assessment.

“Detectives will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Matthew’s death, which is being treated as unexplained and a post mortem is due to take place today.

“We are keeping an open mind at this stage and would appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

"Matthew was last seen at approximately 1.20am in the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona, and we are keen to establish his movements after this time.

“Police received a report of a missing person shortly after 3.30am on Sunday 4th December when Matthew did not arrive home after attending an event in Fintona on Saturday night.

"Sadly Matthew was discovered in a ditch in the laneway of a property approximately two miles away from the social event at around 11.45am yesterday.

“Enquiries have now ruled out speculation which circulated on social media that Matthew was seen getting into a silver car. We have now identified and spoken to the occupants of the car and eliminated them from our enquiries.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw Matthew or anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact police on 101, quoting 319 of 04/12/22.”

Flowers have now been left at Tattyreagh Road outside Fintona as a tribute to where Matthew’s body was recovered.

Tributes pour in for 'a young man still growing into his skin' - tragic teenager Matthew McCallan

Earlier the heartbroken mother paid tribute to all those who helped in the search for her son.

"To all the wonderfull people who came out to help look for my beautiful son you were amazing the community spirt was unbelievable I can't thank you all enough,” she wrote.

"He is now a angel in heaven and is going to be miss so much by his mummy daddy and loving family sleep tight my darling x”.

Last evening detectives in the PSNI’s Criminal Investigation Department said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a teenage boy following the discovery of a body in the Fintona area shortly before 12 noon on Monday, 5th December.The statement said it was ‘believed to be the body of 15 year old Matthew McCallan from the Dungannon area’.Detective Inspector Michael Winters said: “Our thoughts are very much with Matthew’s devastated family who received this tragic news today.

"A number of specially trained officers are providing support to them at this time.“Detectives will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, which is currently being treated as unexplained.“Police received a report of a missing person shortly after 3.30am on Sunday, 4th December when Matthew did not arrive home after attending an event in Fintona on Saturday night.“Sadly a body, which we believe to be Matthew, was discovered in a ditch in the laneway of a property approximately two miles away from the social event today, Monday 5th December, at 11.45am.“We are keeping an open mind and would appeal for anyone with information to come forward. Matthew was last seen at approximately 1.20 am in the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona, and we are keen to establish his movements after this time. I would appeal to anyone who saw the teenager or anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 319 of 04/12/22.”