A Northern Ireland-based Facebook page dedicated to an internet drinking game has stopped sharing videos of the craze.

The 'neknomination' challenge has been linked to the deaths of two young men in the Republic of Ireland over the weekend, and it has now been revealed that a social media page has decided to stop promoting and sharing the drinking videos.

Those who take part in the challenge are allegedly supposed to drink or 'neck' alcoholic drinks in one go, post a video online of their efforts and then nominate at least two others to do the same. But the controversial game is now facing heavy criticism after two people died.

Johnny Byrne, 19, drowned in Carlow on Saturday and his family have said he was taking part in the game at the time of his death. Mr Byrne had jumped into the River Barrow at Milford Bridge shortly after carrying out his 'neknomination'. It is thought his brother jumped into the river to try and save him but he had to be rescued.

Earlier that day, a young DJ was found dead by his friends in Dublin.

Gardaí are awaiting the results of a post mortem to establish the exact cause of his death but it is thought it is also related to the drinking game.

The Northern Ireland Facebook page - which has been followed by almost 11,000 people - has been hit with criticism for promoting the dangerous game. On Sunday, those behind the page confirmed they would no longer be posting videos of the challenge.

They are quoted as saying: "Some people just can't keep things fun and have to take it over the line. End of the road for us as far as neck nomination videos go."

They also added one final video – which features a glass of water instead of alcohol and asks others to stop taking part in the game.

(JP/CD)