Enrika’s friends and teachers shocked over tragedy

Little Enrika’s classmates and teachers at Scoil Mhuire in Killorglin were yesterday trying to come to terms with the tragic news of her death.

She was a second-class pupil at the school which she has attended since junior infants and had made her First Communion in the town on May 4.

Just six weeks later, second-class pupils and others at the school learned yesterday of the death of their Lithuanian friend, who was described as a beautiful, caring, and considerate girl.

Psychologists will visit the school again today where principal Muireann Seoighe and other staff did their best to comfort children while also trying to deal with the situation themselves.

In a statement, the board of management said its sympathy and thoughts are with Enrika’s family, their friends, and the community in Killorglin.

“The board of management, staff, and pupils of Scoil Mhuire, Killorglin, are deeply shocked and saddened at the terrible tragedy that took place in our community, resulting in the sudden and untimely death of Enrika Lubiene and her mother.

“Enrika was a beautiful child who was loved by all who knew her. She was friendly, kind, caring, and considerate of others. She will be sadly missed by her fellow pupils and school staff.”

The 8-year-old was one of more than 20 newcomer children from Poland, Lithuania, China, and Estonia attending the 350-plus pupil school.

The school board appealed for privacy to allow staff focus on the children, a job they are being helped with by experts from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). Support and advice was also being provided by local priests and the Catholic diocesan catechetical team were there to support and advise staff.

The NEPS psychologists are giving advice and assistance to staff and pupils, and helping the school to roll out its critical incident management plan. Such plans are based on guidelines issued by NEPS on how to cope with traumatic incidents like the deaths of Enrika and her mother, or other tragedies that can overwhelm a school community.