Second death in Ireland linked to social media drinking craze 'Neknominate'

The deaths of two young men in Ireland have been linked to an online drinking game called "Neknominate". The aim of the game is to complete a drinking dare, normally 'necking' a pint of alcohol, posting the video online and then nominating one or two people to do the same.

The body of Jonny Bryne, 19, was recovered from the River Barrow in county Carlow in Ireland early this morning, the Irish Mirror reports. It is believed the teenager had been playing the game before jumping into the river last night.

His death comes just one day after the death of Dublin DJ Ross Cummins, 22, whose body was recovered in a house in Dublin yesterday morning.

Read: Teenager's brother urges public to avoid drinking craze

Police and alcohol experts have warned of the dangers of the craze and appealed for those dared by their friends to take part to resist doing so.

Hailed as the 'social drinking game for social media' the game has become more extreme as it has spread across the globe. Trending as #NekNomination on Twitter and spreading rapidly on Facebook, the game is thought to have started in Perth, Australia.

In the UK, thousands have taken part in the craze, with videos being posted across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England.

Police have warned that the consequences of the game are getting more serious as the trend gets bigger. Cumbria Police chief superintendent Steve Johnson told the Mirror:

The families of both the young men who died in Ireland have appealed for people to stop taking part in the game. Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTE, Bryne's father Joe said: