Tributes paid to woman killed by stolen bus

Tributes have been paid to Máire Buckley (62), who was killed when her car was struck by a bus on the Naas Road on Sunday. Ms Buckley, from Donnycarney, north Dublin, worked as a community liaison teacher in Rutland Street National School in Dublin's north inner-city before her retirement last September.

She remained closely involved in working for the disadvantaged and those with special needs, particularly in the education area.

Tributes were led by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Minister for Education Mary Hanafin, the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, in which Ms Buckley was active, as well as colleagues and politicians in her north Dublin base.

Eileen Adams, principal of Rutland Street National School, said the community was in shock at the sudden loss.

"During her time as a class teacher, special class teacher and home school teacher, Máire Buckley made a huge impact on colleagues, pupils and parents. She never counted hours and never saw the negative in anyone or in any situation.

"She did huge work . . . set up courses for parents and was really interested in their welfare."

At Rutland Street school the atmosphere was "like a wake, with people calling in all day to remember a kind and loving person who will be very much missed".

The Taoiseach said: "Yesterday [ Sunday] was a terrible tragedy, mainly for Máire Buckley. I met her many times in Rutland Street school, which is in my constituency and where she gave a lot of dedicated service in different roles. To her daughter and family, we extend the sympathy of the Government."

He described the events as "a huge tragedy for a lot of people". He added: "I think the gardaí on the day, the emergency services, did all they could."

Ms Hanafin said that given Ms Buckley's "breadth of experience, it was fitting that Máire was chairperson of the board of management of the Central Model School, Marlborough Street, of which the Minister for Education is patron".

She added that Ms Buckley "was a dedicated teacher and committed all her energies to helping those around her in the schools where she taught".

General secretary of the INTO, John Carr, extended condolences to Ms Buckley's family, commenting that she was much loved and held in the highest esteem by colleagues, pupils and parents with whom she worked over four decades in primary schools. "She was particularly dedicated to disadvantaged families of the north inner-city and worked above and beyond the call of duty on their behalf," he said.

Tributes were also paid by Finian McGrath TD who said Ms Buckley had been first to remind him of his duties to the disadvantaged when he was elected to the Dáil. "She was first on my case. We are all devastated," he said.

Joe Costello TD said she was committed to social justice and "was kind, genuine and committed. She worked way beyond the call of duty."