Call for addiction services after two Belfast sisters die within weeks

The family are calling for addiction services following the deaths. Credit: UTV

A heartbroken family from west Belfast is pleading for more support for addiction services, following the death of two sisters just three weeks apart.

Bridget and Geraldine McKay battled addiction from a young age - one took heroine, other was hooked on prescription drugs.

They leave behind nine children and a devastated family.

“It’s mad that, only a few weeks ago Geraldine was standing looking over Bridget, now we’re looking over Geraldine,” said Sinead McKay.

Catherine McKay added: “I’m looking at the coffin going ‘Bridget … no, Geraldine’, and having to keep correcting myself.

“It doesn’t feel real.”

Weighed down by grief, their family has only one hope - that their loss will highlight the desperate need for addiction support.

“I always thought they’d be with us,” Sinead added.

“It should be a wake-up call to everyone, especially my family and other families out there, I just don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”