Karen Buckley’s parents attend vigil held in the heart of the city
Grief-stricken Marian and John Buckley, supported by their son Kieran, read messages of support left by the hundreds of people who gathered in the city’s George Square last night, and embraced those in the crowd who came forward to offer their condolences.
Karen Buckley’s body was found on a farm on Wednesday four days after the 24-year-old disappeared during a night out with friends at the Sanctuary nightclub in Glasgow’s west end, launching a massive police search.
Last night’s ceremony came as 21-year-old Alexander Pacteau appeared in court less than a mile away to be charged with her murder, and was remanded in custody.
People of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life gathered in the city centre to pay their respects after responding to a plea by the socialist politician Rosie Kane.
Professional singer Seweryna Dudzinska sang a traditional Irish blessing during the ceremony, while piper Craig McFarlane played the Lament for Limerick and Rosie Kane’s brother Tom McGarvey sang the popular tune Danny Boy.
Ms Kane, who said she had been overwhelmed by offers of support, told the crowd: ‘’I don’t want to be here, that’s the first thing I need to say. It seems that everyone has been devastated but we want to support Karen’s family and show them the best side of the city.
“We’re trying to make something beautiful from that horrible, horrible grief. Karen’s parents only know this city as a place where their daughter left them. Today, this vigil is our chance to put some love and colour into that space and into their hearts.”
Hundreds of ppl have already gathered in George sq to remember #KarenBuckley a piper plays as flowers are laid pic.twitter.com/zeUI21BkZ3
— Paul Ward (@paulward21) April 17, 2015
Sister Sheila Buckley, a nun of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, embraced Karen’s parents as they made their way along the line of tributes.
She said: “It is so very sad. We cried together, and they are broken-hearted. I can’t imagine what they are going through. I told them that we were praying for Karen.
“My second name is Buckley and I’m also from Cork originally, although I’m not a relation of the family. It has all felt very personal.
“It is a tragedy. That poor girl.”
Angela Bowden, 31, from Glasgow, cried as she lit a candle among the flowers left in Karen’s memory.
She said: “I didn’t know her personally, but I’m absolutely devastated and shocked that this could happen.
“I’ve been to the same places Karen had on the night she disappeared, and was close by on the night that it happened.”
She added: “She seemed to have been a lovely girl with everything going for her, and someone I could have easily been friends with. It’s just so very, very sad.”
Zaraf Khan, 51, a former restaurant manager from Govanhill on the south of the city, said that he had come to pay his respects as he had a daughter of a similar age to Karen.
He said: “It’s a very sad day, and I have daughter too. I think that if anything happened to her I would feel the same.
“This was a girl who had her whole life ahead of her and wasn’t even old enough to have begun a family of her own.”
Around 300 people attended the vigil, many leaving tributes, flowers and messages.
Glasgow’s Lady Provost Sadie Docherty said: “This is Glasgow people showing their support. The city is hurting very badly at this present moment, and so are Karen’s family.
“There is also a very strong Irish community in Glasgow, and that is represented here today. This is their way of showing support to for the family.
“It has been hard on everyone that has followed the events of the past few days.”
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