Inner city parish to bury bus victim

THE funeral of the victim of last Sunday’s stolen bus rampage through Dublin is to take place in the parish where she taught among the children she loved.

Máire Buckley’s family have chosen to have her funeral service in the inner city community where she was known by pupils, parents and teachers as a tireless worker for the young, the vulnerable and the disadvantaged.

Ms Buckley, who was 62, lived in Donnycarney on the north side of the city, but family and friends will gather to mourn her at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in the Sean McDermott Street Parish close to the city centre. Her removal takes place this evening and her funeral follows at 11am tomorrow. She will be buried later in Fingal Cemetery.

Children from Rutland Street National School and the Central Model School, Marlborough Street, where she worked, will form a guard of honour and sing during the services. Other community groups with which she was closely involved will provide the music.

Ms Buckley died on the Naas Road in Dublin last Sunday after she was struck during an incident when a stolen bus being chased by gardaí around the city collided with a line of cars.

Her only daughter, Angela, was with her at the time but managed to jump clear and was unhurt.

The man charged with dangerous driving causing her death is due in court tomorrow morning around the same time as her funeral Mass gets under way.

Peter Clarke, aged 36, from Jobstown, Dublin has been in custody in Cloverhill Prison since last Sunday evening and will have an opportunity to make an application for bail during tomorrow’s sitting of Cloverhill District Court.

Gardaí say they are still continuing their investigations into the events of last Sunday and say it will take weeks before all witnesses are traced.

An incident room set up at Kilmainham Garda Station will remain open during the investigation.

Gardaí are still appealing for witnesses who have not yet contacted them, especially people with photographs or video footage, on: 01-6669700.