Karen Buckley: Community rallies ‘to cover family with love’
Fr Corkery, a curate in the nearby town of Mallow, was trying to support the community in their hour of need and urged everybody “to cover the family with their love”.
Several parishioners were visibly shaken as they emerged from 9.30am Mass yesterday at the local Church of St Michael the Archangel at Analeentha, where prayers were again said for Karen.
At that time it was still unclear if the body discovered in the Scottish city was that of the missing 24-year-old woman, but as every minute passed locals were beginning to realise the worst.
READ MORE: Moving messages as social media pays tribute to Karen Buckley
Fighting back the tears, Clíona Forde said it was so sad. “They [the Buckley family] are in our thoughts and prayers, it’s every parent’s worst nightmare.”
Another Mass-goer, who asked not to be named, said it was shocking that a young woman so full of life had died while simply trying to have a bit of fun on a night out.
Just yards from the church, parents of children being dropped off at Analeentha National School huddled in groups discussing the latest news.
School principal Susan O’Keeffe said she remembered Karen well, describing her as a beautiful child and exemplary pupil.
“Mourneabbey and the whole world were at a loss with Karen’s going,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
She explained that Karen’s family were held in high esteem and everybody at the school was in deep shock.
Mourneabbey parish priest Fr Joe O’Keeffe said the community was trying to come to grips with the situation and said the Buckley family “are going to need extra support at this difficult time”.
“We hope by our support in some small way we will be of comfort and consolation to the family.
He spoke before Glasgow police had positively identified Karen’s body, but said if it was her he could “only hope she was at rest”.
Later, when it was confirmed Karen was dead, he said there “was is real sense of shock and dismay” within the community and “the air was very heavy”.
Flags flew at half-mast at St Mary’s Secondary School in Mallow where Karen completed her Leaving Certificate in 2009.
A prayer vigil was held by students, while teachers who knew Karen well spoke about her in glowing terms.
Principal Yvonne Bane said pupils and teachers “were united in grief at the sad news”.
“The school community have been sharing warm memories of our beautiful, former student over the last number of days. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Buckley family at this time,” Ms Bane said.
A picture of Karen, surrounded by flowers, has been put up at the Hibernian Hotel in Mallow.
Local councillor Dan Joe Fitzgerald said he often encountered Karen while she was working at the hotel over several summers, especially in the coffee dock area. “I remember her there when she was on her holidays, she was very pleasant and good at her job. She was a very sensible girl. It just seems that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and it’s so sad for her family,” he said.
Garda Supt Pat McCarthy, who is based in Mallow, said he had appointed a sergeant as a liaison officer for the family. “The Buckleys are a well known and highly- respected family. We were following the Glasgow investigation ourselves and praying Karen would be found safe and well, but sadly that was not to be the case. We are here to assist the family in every way we can,” he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is also providing the family with consular assistance in Scotland.
All of our thoughts & prayers are w Karen’s family & friends at this tragic time -Statement by Min. @CharlieFlanagan http://t.co/w047Fj1tut
— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) April 16, 2015
Karen’s older brother, Brendan, 32, is trying to keep the farm running while his parents are in Glasgow, although he is being helped by neighbours.
Mourneabbey Community Council issued a statement saying its members’ thoughts and prayers are with the Buckley family and thanked neighbouring communities and people all over the country for their support.
Mallow-based TD Tom Barry said he rarely made comments on such sensitive issues, but added: “It is hard to describe the sickening feeling inside on hearing the terrible news. May God give strength to her family in this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Minister Seán Sherlock also expressed his sadness.
“This is deeply upsetting news for the Buckley family and the entire community in Mourneabbey and North Cork. The local community has already rallied to the aid of the family and I know that it will rally again in this time of grief.”
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