SCHOOLMATES OF Mark and Julie Flood, the young brother and sister who died in tragic circumstances in their family home at the weekend, received counselling yesterday on their return to school.
Just 100 metres from the Floods' home in Clonroche, Co Wexford, St Aidan's National School opened its doors yesterday for classes.
Mark (6) and Julie (5), who died in the house with their parents Diarmuid and Lorraine, were pupils in senior and junior infants classes respectively.
Norma Doyle, principal of St Aidan's, said the school staff were very focused on the difficult task that faced them yesterday morning. "It goes without saying that it was very trying. The silence at the school gate in the morning said it all. The teachers were waiting in class for the pupils this morning and when they had gathered they were given a chance to talk, cry and share their memories," she said.
Ms Doyle said a memorial prayer service was held in the school at 10.30am, where students and staff sang hymns, prayed and discussed their thoughts on the tragedy. "There is a great sense of unity in the school, it has been very moving . . . We almost had a full attendance. . . It seems as if the staff here need the children just as much as they need us to get through this," she said.
Counselling services were available to the pupils and staff of the school and Ms Doyle said the school would be planning for the rest of the week on a day-by-day basis.
Local parish priest Fr Richard Redmond said yesterday evening that he had not yet been contacted regarding funeral arrangements for the family. He said the community was still trying to get a grip on what had happened.
Meanwhile, a book of condolences for the Flood family was opened yesterday morning at the town council office in nearby New Ross.
