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A popular teenage girl has passed away in hospital this evening after apparently taking three dodgy ecstasy pills on a night out.

Ana Hick, 18, who recently graduated from Loreto College in Dalkey, Dublin, was with friends outside Dublin’s Twisted Pepper nightclub on Saturday when she became ill and collapsed.

The teenager had a fit and a heart attack after she was suspected of taking the cheap tablets – believed to be a mix of ecstacy and other drugs.

Emergency services were called and arrived to find Ana had suffered a cardiac arrest.

She was taken to a nearby hospital where her condition deteriorated and Ana passed away early on Sunday evening.

The pills she is suspected of taking are made of PMMA, a cheaper alternative to ecstasy, and they are thought to be flooding the country.

Even though they still contain methamphetamine, the tablets are full of toxic chemicals which can be fatal.

Although medics were able to resuscitate her, Ana was put on a life support machine last night before her fight for life ended after 5.30pm on Sunday.

Her heartbroken father was understood to be travelling back to Dublin from the United States to be with his daughter last night.

Friends of the young woman, who didn’t want to be named, said Ana was an outgoing girl who loved living life.

One added: “Ana is just so nice.

“The kindest, funniest person you could meet. She’s the friendliest, chattiest girl going.

“She is so good to people and so talented and beautiful. Everyone loved her.

“I can’t believe this has happened. My heart goes out to her parents and her family. They must be going through absolute hell.”

Ana was with four of her closest pals as she celebrated finishing her first year in college and was due to celebrate her 19th birthday in two days’ time.

(Image: Marc O'Sullivan/Collins)

The Twisted Pepper released a statement saying that their thoughts were with Ana's family.

The club posted on Facebook: "Everyone at the Twisted Pepper is deeply saddened and devastated at the news of the sad passing of Ana Hick.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Ana’s family and friends at this tragic time.

"We are working closely with the authorities and out of respect for Ana and her family we cannot comment further at this time."

Friend Conor Watters said: "I'm so incredibly lucky to have had the pleasure of knowing such a determined, ambitious, fun loving girl!

"From the first time we met at Star Wars auditions (waiting 6 hours in the cold and rain) where we had the best craic i knew you were special!

"We promised each other we would look out for one another no matter where we ended up in our career!

"Rest In Peace movie star, you're truly amazing."

Karin Isabella-O'Connor said: "My beautiful Ana has lost her fight. You fought hard till the end and my heart is broken.

"I won't believe that I will not see you again because you will be in my heart always.

"I hope you can give me some of the strength you have shown us these past 36 hours, to be there for all you have left behind.

"Thank you for being such a big part of my life, my 2nd daughter and being a perfect soul-mate for Soirse.

"Love you forever my Ana guapita."

Ana studied acting and film in the hope of breaking into the business. She also worked at Crunch Fitness in Dun Laoghaire.

Dr Chris Luke, a consultant in emergency medicine at Cork University Hospital, previously warned help for people on such drugs is complicated because of the new concoctions.

He said: “The frontline services, paramedics for instance, won’t know what has been taken and might never know, because the chemicals are so new and the laboratories simply don’t have the technology to identify them.”