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The brother of tragic Triona Priestley told how she took her last breath surrounded by loved ones as Ed Sheeran “sang her to sleep”.

The brave 15-year-old, who suffered from Cystic Fibrosis, lost her fight for life today at Temple Street Children’s Hospital after the singer granted her dying wish.

Shortly before Triona’s death her pals began an online campaign for Sheeran to sing to the teen which went viral.

And tonight her brother Colm told how his sister slipped into a sleep as Ed sang her favourite song Little Bird.

He said: “Myself and my family would like to thank Ed Sheeran and everyone who started and supported the #SongForTri campaign.

“What they gave us and her was a beautiful last moment together.

“Triona slipped into a sleep as Ed was singing to her and passed away shortly afterwards. So Ed Sheeran sang her to sleep. Everyone loved Triona so much and she knew that. Thank you.”

As word broke of Triona’s tragic passing, award winning singer Ed paid tribute to her on Twitter.

He wrote: “Rest in peace Triona, so heartbreaking x.”

Triona’s pal Lucy Hanlon told how Ed’s manager Stuart Camp got in touch following the campaign.

She wrote on Facebook: “It is with great sadness that I have to share with you all today our beautiful angel was taken from us.

“As we all know about the Twitter campaign, Ed’s manager Stuart Camp emailed me and today Ed rang Triona and personally sang Little Bird to her as she took her last breaths.

“Triona left us listening to her idol surrounded by all the people who loved her. People’s respect is incredible. We would like to thank everyone. Goodnight, my angel. Sleep tight.”

Phillip Watt, the CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI), said Triona was a true fighter.

He added: “It’s terrible when somebody so young dies. It’s tough for everyone. It leaves family and friends with a massive hole in their lives.

“Triona was very supportive of what we do here at CFI.

“She was involved in a lot of fundraising and so were her family. It’s absolutely terrible. I had heard during the week that she was struggling.”

And Mr Watt said it was an incredible gesture by Triona’s pals.

He added: “A lot of the time, the support from friends and family can spur people to keep on fighting.

“To see what her friends had done for her is absolutely humbling. It’s incredible. It restores your faith in humanity. That’s exactly how it is.

“But 15 is no age to pass away. Triona was so young. But it must have been great for her to hear her favourite singer’s voice before passing.”

News of Triona’s death went around the world last night as thousands sent heartwarming tributes.

One wrote: “Absolutely amazing what Triona’s friends & family done for her! May she rest in peace.”

Another added: “RIP my beautiful, beautiful Triona.

“I will never ever forget you & how wonderful a friend you were to me. You’re my 65th Rose. I love you.”

Triona had been in the intensive care unit at Temple Street Hospital for nearly two weeks before she eventually passed away.

Friends recalled how she constantly interrupted her family to show them all things Ed Sheeran related.

They told how she would stop her brother Colm’s guitar playing and make him learn some of the star’s songs, telling him how Ed’s music “does something to my heart”.

Cystic Fibrosis is caused by a faulty gene and Ireland has the highest rate of the disease in the world with one in 19 people carriers.

Her brother, posted on twitter: "My words about Tríona, written a while ago.

"She wanted me to add the guitars (I am) so I hadn't posted a video yet."