McAleese and Ahern offer condolences after Meath bus crash

President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern have both offered their condolences to the relatives of those killed and injured in yesterday's tragic school bus crash in Co Meath.

Mrs McAleese interrupted her official engagements during a visit to the United States to express her distress at the loss of five young lives in the accident.

Mr Ahern said the accident was an appalling tragedy and he paid tribute to the emergency services and hospital staff who dealt with the situation.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen, meanwhile, cut short a visit to Moscow for a meeting of European transport ministers in the wake of the crash, while Education Minister Mary Hanafin has arranged for psychologists to provide support to those affected.