Tributes flood in as country united by grief

IT was a day of solidarity. A day when pupils across the country stood as one, united by grief.

As students in Navan struggled to come to terms with the loss of five classmates, pupils in dozens of schools paid their own personal tributes.

Staff at the four schools affected by Monday’s tragedy say they have been overwhelmed by the response. Phone calls and flowers from past pupils and former teachers have been flooding in.

Charities and other organisations from overseas which have had dealings with the schools also sent their condolences.

The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) sent a message of sympathy from members to their colleagues in the Navan schools.

“The deep sympathy, thoughts and prayers of your colleagues in schools throughout the country are with you and your students, their families and your staff on this sad summer morning,” said NAPD director Mary McGlynn.

“In our prayers we remember very specially the students who lost their lives, their families and their friends. We will continue to remember those who are injured and pray that they will recover fully from their injuries and trauma,” she said.

Parent organisations and teacher unions joined in the expressions of sympathy to all those devastated by the horror crash.

ASTI president Susie Hall and general secretary John White extended their sympathies to the families, students and teachers bereaved by the tragedy.

“Sudden bereavement has an enormous and profound impact on a school community. Our thoughts are with all those bereaved. We know that the school community will come together and do all they can for those who must come to terms with this tragic event,” they said.

Union of Secondary School Students vice-president Oisín O’Reilly said the group had sent a wreath to the schools affected. He added that letters had also been posted to the general student body in all the schools, expressing solidarity and sympathy.

Teachers Union of Ireland president Paddy Healy expressed the sympathy of his organisation with all those affected.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the families, friends and teachers of those who tragically died yesterday. We hope those injured make a full recovery in time and that everybody affected can draw strength from each other in these extremely difficult times.”

The National Parents Council (Primary) said people’s thoughts are with the parents and family members of the students who lost their lives on the way home from school.

“We extend our sincere sympathy to the friends, their communities, their teachers and the staff of schools the children attended,” said chief executive Fionnuala Kilfeather.

The Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA), which represents the country’s 33 VECs, extended the sympathy of the country’s 33 vocational education committees (VECs) to the relatives and friends of the five schoolgirls who lost their lives.

“Our sympathies and prayers are also with the community of Yellow Furze which has been devastated by this tragic loss,” said IVEA general secretary Michael Moriarty.