Tributes to popular teacher killed in freak accident

A COMMUNITY has been shattered and devastated at the death of a Limerick school teacher in a freak accident, mourners heard yesterday.

They had gathered for the funeral Mass of Maura Horgan, who had taught Irish for many years at St Enda’s Community School.

The 57-year-old died on Thursday after she was hit by the branch of a tree that broke and fell on her after it was struck by a passing truck while she was walking on O’Connell Avenue.

A teacher at the school since 1974, she retired last year and, in October, had married Limerick psychologist, Michael Horgan.

The hundreds who attended her funeral Mass in St Joseph’s Church included former pupils from St Enda’s, many of whom wept during the ceremony which was conducted in Irish and English.

Fr Sean Harmon, CC, St John’s Parish, who officiated at her wedding just over six months ago, said the enormity of her sudden and such tragic death made it all the harder to cope.

“Maura was a wonderful woman, cherished by her husband Michael, her family and all who knew her.”

Fr Harmon recalled how she had received her secondary schooling in Mount Trenchard near Foynes after the family moved from Abbeyfeale to Glin on the Shannon Estuary. She was brought up in an Irish-speaking home where her father, Padraig O Cearbhaill, was a renowned Irish scholar.

Fr Harmon said it was no surprise that Maura chose Irish and History as her degree subject at college.

When St Enda’s opened, he said Maura was one of the many young teachers who joined the staff there.

“She always wanted the best for her pupils and the best from them, and was always a wonderful teacher.”

Fr Harmon said she endeared herself to people.

He spoke of her love of style. “Maura always dressed well and always liked glamour and style. Maura understood that when we dress well, we feel good as well.”

Fr Harmon also spoke of her love of music, drama and gardening.

A daily mass-goer, he said she had attended Mass at Mount St Alphonsus Redemptorist church just over an hour before the fatal accident.

Many floral tributes have been placed at the spot where the fatal accident happened.

Gardaí are carrying out an investigation into the circumstances of the accident, and have spoken to the lorry driver who was said to be very traumatised on learning at what had occurred.

A Garda spokesman described it as a freak accident.