Ahern expresses shock at loss of life in school bus accident

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night said the country had been shocked by the tragic loss of life in Meath.

Mr Ahern led widespread political reaction to yesterday’s bus accident, which claimed the lives of five schoolgirls and left dozens injured.

Speaking as he arrived in Citywest for Bill Clinton’s speech to the RehabCare Gala Banquet, a markedly subdued Mr Ahern spoke of the shock felt by entire community, to the families of those who died and were injured, and to the pupils of the boys’ and girls’ schools.

“Obviously we send our sympathies to the families and to the bereaved,” said Mr Ahern.

“I have been talking to Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey who has been at the scene of the accident for the past few hours,” he said.

Giving assurances that the Government would do all in its power to assist, Mr Ahern said Education

Minister Mary Hanafin had been at the airport on her way to attend an EU conference when she heard of the tragedy, and had immediately gone to the scene.

He said Ms Hanafin would ensure that professional help and counselling would be available to pupils at the school.

“The children are obviously very badly traumatised,” said Mr Ahern.

He said Defence Minister Willie O’Dea would be coordinating the emergency response on behalf of both his Department and the Department of Justice.

Speaking from Seattle in the United States, President McAleese expressed her shock and distress at the tragic loss of young life in the Co Meath school bus crash.

The President sent her deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those who have been bereaved. “My thoughts and prayers are also with those who have been injured,” the President said.

ASTI president Susie Hall and general secretary John White said sudden bereavement has an enormous and profound impact on a school community.

“Our thoughts are with all those bereaved. We know that the school communities in Navan will come together and do all they for those who must come to terms with this tragic event.”

Tánaiste Mary Harney said she had learned of the tragic bus crash outside Navan with shock. She offered her deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives and were injured in the incident.

She said her thoughts were also with the local community which must be deeply shocked by this awful event. The Tánaiste, as Minister for Health, commended the speedy and effective response of the hospital and emergency services to the tragedy.

She said every medical facility and all appropriate care and counselling services required are being made available.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen, who was in Moscow ahead of an EU Transport meeting, cancelled his attendance upon hearing of the accident and made plans last night to immediately return home.

“It is with great sadness that I learned of this evening’s tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the children involved, their families and in particular those who have lost loved ones today,” he said.

Minister for Education and Mary Hanafin and the Minister for State, Síle deValera expressed their shock and sadness at the tragedy.

Ms Hanafin has arranged for the National Educational Psychological Service to provide support and counselling to the schools affected from tomorrow morning

She said an accident of this nature must and would be investigated independently and fully.

Fine Gael’s spokesperson on Education Olwyn Enright expressed sympathy on behalf of her party last night.