Taoiseach's Statement to the Dáil. Expression of Sympathy for the victims of the Meath bus crash

Expression of Sympathy for the victims of the Meath bus crash

Yesterday five young girls left their parents and their homes to go to school. It was probably a normal day like any other. But it was not to be so, for long.

Those young women were never to return to their parents and to their homes alive again.

A terrible and sudden tragedy has been visited upon the families of Sinead Ledwidge, Aimee Mc Cabe, Deirdre Scanlon, Clare Mc Clusky and Lisa Callan. It is a tragedy shared by their schoolmates who were on that last fateful bus journey with them last evening. The whole local community and the whole country send their prayers and their heartfelt sympathies to the five families of these fine young girls.

Our thoughts too are with the injured who are not only physically but also emotionally hurt by this awful event.

Today is an occasion of grief for the dead and of solidarity with those who are left behind.

Also all of us in this house, think of principals in the schools, the teachers in the schools, all of the pupils in the schools and their parents and everybody affected by this and all other school children throughout the country.

On my own behalf and on behalf of the Government I want to again express my personal sympathy to the bereaved families and indeed to the entire community around Kentstown and Navan.

ENDS