A fundraising effort in Strabane has collected more than £8,500 from nearly 500 donors to support a young girl who was assaulted in the Canal Basin area on Friday, July 17.

The assault was filmed and shared widely online. Footage shows the girl being dragged to the ground by her hair and kicked while another young person records the incident.

The girl's family said she was lured to the location by someone pretending to be friendly.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed it received a report of the assault and that enquiries are ongoing.

Local representatives condemned the attack. Sinn Fein councillor Paul Boggs described the footage as difficult to watch and said he had spoken with the girl's family, who were shaken. He said the public reaction sent a message that bullying would not be tolerated.

Independent councillor Raymond Barr called the assault horrific. Fellow independent Jason Barr said the footage was both angering and upsetting, and urged parents of those involved to tell their daughters that such actions constitute a criminal offence.