Tribute to local teacher killed by runaway bus

A COMMUNITY centre in Dublin’s inner city is to be named after a much-loved local teacher who was tragically killed by a runaway bus in May.

The Buckley Hall, in honour of Maire Buckley, 62 will be officially opened next month in Buckingham Street.

A local resident suggested the idea to north inner city councillor and teacher Aodhan O’Riordain who supported the proposal at the City Council’s Central Area Committee meeting this week.

Mr O’Riordain said: “The fact that this development is in the heart of the area which Maire Buckley served as a teacher, and that some of the profits from the development will be donated to an educational trust fund to benefit local children is a fitting tribute to Maire Buckley’s memory.”

Ms Buckley died trying to protect her daughter Angela when an out-of-control bus bulldozed through their car on the Naas Road before she could jump to safety.

The 45-year-old driver of the coach was later arrested after leaving a trail of carnage in his wake.

Several people were injured in the 40-minute high-speed chase which involved up to 40 garda vehicles and the garda helicopter.

Gardaí fired shots at the coach at three separate locations in a desperate attempt to stop it. It finally crashed and ground to a halt near Rathcoole.

Ms Buckley, from Donnycarney, north Dublin, worked as a community liaison teacher in Rutland Street National School in Dublin’s north inner-city before her retirement in September 2005.

Before her death, she remained closely involved in working for the disadvantaged and those with special needs.

Tributes to Ms Buckley were led by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Education Minister Mary Hanafin and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation.

The developer has promised to donate 10% of the profits from this site to an educational trust fund for local children.