Full probe ordered

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen has ordered a thorough investigation of the horrific bus crash yesterday that left five teenage girls dead and 46 people injured in Navan, Co Meath.

Mr Cullen said: “Obviously, an accident of this nature must and will be investigated independently and fully.”

He said he had spoken with the Taoiseach, CIÉ chairman Dr John Lynch, senior Transport Department officials and Ministers Mary Hanafin and Noel Dempsey.

A spokeswoman for Bus Éireann, the coach operator, said the company’s investigation was underway but it was too early to say what caused the accident.

Last night, Education Minister Mary Hanafin offered her deepest sympathy to those affected by the tragedy and promised the schools affected all the help she could provide.

“Minister Hanafin has arranged for the National Educational Psychological Service to provide support and counselling to the schools affected from tomorrow morning,” her spokesman said.

Health Minister Mary Harney offered her deepest condolences and sympathy and said all appropriate care is being made available.

Fine Gael TD Damien English, who lives in Navan, said it was a horrific tragedy for the local community and he sympathised with the families.

Speaking from the scene Mr English added: “It’s unbelievable. Everybody is in shock. It’s a terrible waste of young life.”

Meath Fire Service spokesperson Mary Maguire said the road will remain closed for up to 36 hours.

Patsy McDonnell, who owns a guesthouse in the area, said he travels the road where the accident happened every day.

“It’s not a particularly dangerous stretch of road, but there were road works there today,” he said.

Resident Phyllis Roe said ambulances have been continuously whizzing past her home, three miles from the accident scene.