‘Never again’ says Book of Condolences
Beside six daisy blossom flowers to represent the people who lost their lives in the tragic Cork Airport crash, people who had no personal connection to the victims took time out of their busy lives to let those grieving know they are not alone.
Among the hundreds of strangers to leave messages of support to those directly affected by the horror flight were businessmen, priests, students and young couples — all still in shock about what had happened just a day before.
“You feel so sorry for the people back home, honest to god it’s something you would never think would happen,” said Jim O Sullivan, 58, from Donoughmore, Co Cork.
Derek Maguire, 45, from Carrigaline, said the fact his son is training to be a pilot only brings home what happened even more.
Tracy Doolin, 31, from Togher, said a day after she was still “shocked” and “just thinking of the families” affected, and who are now facing their darkest hour.
“It’s just so unexpected, these were people going about their everyday business and then suddenly everything is taken away.”
She added that the taxi driver who phoned a Cork radio station on Thursday mid-morning to complain the accident meant he could not pick up fares was not representative of the emotional outpouring from the public.
“That was just done in very poor judgment. The emergency response teams were fantastic, they saved lives,” she said.
Holding his young son Jack, Robert Flanagan, 32, a student at UCC from Dungarvan in Co Waterford said he could not believe what happened as “you really don’t hear about this in Ireland”.
At City Hall, a separate Book of Condolences was opened at 1pm by the Lord Mayor of Cork City, Cllr Michael O’ Connell.
“I’m opening the Book of Condolences in response to hundreds of calls over the last 24 hours from people asking if they could do something to express their deep regret over what happened at Cork Airport. I will personally make sure the families receive a copy and I hope that it will bring them some comfort,” he said.
Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork Paul Colton and Dean Nigel Dunne attended a prayer service at St Finbarre’s Cathedral yesterday.
Lay preacher, Jim Queally offered prayers for those fatally injured, the survivors and the emergency services.
“We pray for those whose lives were transformed yesterday morning from normality to unbelievable grief and suffering.
We pray for those watching by the bedsides of victims and we entrust all of them to the great mercy of Jesus Christ Our Lord,” he said.
“We give thanks for the incredibly prompt response by the fire service, ambulance service, doctors and nurses, airport civil police and those that gave comfort to grieving loved ones and friends,” Mr Queally said.
