Heartbroken community pays tribute to Tara

THERE were heart-breaking scenes at Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School yesterday as former pupils who should be enjoying their summer break gathered to mourn and support one another.

And in Tara Whelan's parish of Ballyduff, Kilmeaden, the two local priests were trying to find words to comfort their flock. It was the third time in just a week that the community was united in grief.

A local couple lost their newborn baby on Wednesday last. And on Friday, 23-year-old crash victim, Derek Ryan, was buried. He was a neighbour and close friend of Tara Whelan's, living with his parents just three fields from her home. She knew of his death and was to commiserate with his family had she returned home on Sunday.

From just after 9am yesterday, the former Leaving Certificate student's friends began to file into the city centre school, anxious for news of Tara Whelan's funeral arrangements. Many came with photo albums, jam-packed with shots from recent gatherings after the exams.

Work on tiling and painting in the main foyer of the school was abandoned and a floral tribute and candle flanked a picture of Tara taken on holiday by her best friends, twins Lyndsey and Tracey Galgey. Inside the school library, many were busy with scissors, putting together a collage of their favourite snaps.

Sixteen-year-old Debbie Flanagan was among the first to arrive. "She was a very loving person. We'd always be messing together. You couldn't meet anyone nicer. Its terrible that she's dead, even more awful because of the way she died. Nobody deserves that.

"I was shopping for my holidays in town when I got the news. I'm off to Ibiza on Friday. I thought I'd miss the funeral but I won't now. I won't be afraid on holiday. That's not what Tara would have wanted for me."

At the Galgey family home in Hillview, just up the road from the school, the twins were still in bed late yesterday morning. They had been out to the Whelan family on Sunday night, just hours after they returned from Turkey. They'd already developed some of their holiday pictures and gave them to the family. They will be the final, treasured pictures of the daughter they loved so much.

"Out of respect for Tara's family, we really don't want to talk," Mr Galgey said. "My girls are in bed. They're absolutely shattered. They are totally devastated. We're just so happy to have them here and safe," he said.

School principal Michael Lane is away with his family in Italy and was not able to return yesterday. But his deputy, Declan Clancy, was there to meet his 145-strong Leaving Certificate class of 2005.

"Tara lived her life very much to the full," he said.

"She was a very joyful girl who took part in a lot of things. She was different to a lot of teenagers in that she didn't have a mobile phone. She had plenty of money for one. But she didn't need one. Her life was full enough without one.

"She was involved in the donkey sanctuary and loved horses and all animals. This is a very sad time for all of us. But I would be anxious that our students would not over-dwell on her death. Of course we must grieve. But we must also celebrate our life in the way that she celebrated hers and live it to the full."

Local priests, Fr Gerard O'Connor, CC, and Fr Michael O'Byrne, PP, knew Tara very well. She worked part-time as a waitress in the local Sweep Bar and restaurant.

"I'd always remark to her that she was the most hard-working waitress there. She was a truly lovely girl. Her enthusiasm was infectious," Fr O'Connor said.

Fr O'Byrne said her funeral Mass tomorrow will be one of the toughest homilies he will ever have to deliver.

"I have known Tara since her primary school days. She was a gifted musician, her speciality was the traditional tin whistle. She was a very active member of all our young people's activities here in the parish, especially the Choir.

"Tara, God rest her, was a bright and bubbly young lady. The thing you would remember most about her was her smile. That was her trademark a dazzling smile. Her death in such awful circumstances has really hit our local community very hard.

"Only a few days ago, we had another tragic death here when a 23 year-old was killed in a car accident. We also buried a little baby. I have suggested that we channel our grief into the weekly adoration here tonight."

The families grieving are all at the heart of the parish, Fr O'Byrne said.

We are hoping that the family will get some private time before noon funeral mass on Wednesday.

"Among those who have sent their wishes are President McAleese. She has been in touch with us here and has expressed her sympathy to the Whelan family and to our community."