Hundreds of children, teachers and locals gathered in Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Seán Mac Dermott Street, Dublin, last night for the removal of the remains of local teacher Maire Buckley.
Children from Rutland Street and Marlborough Street national schools formed a guard of honour to greet the remains of Ms Buckley (62) who was killed when her car was struck by a bus on the Naas Road on Sunday.
Parish priest Fr Michael Casey thanked Ms Buckley's daughter Angela and her family for deciding to hold her funeral in the community where she proved so popular and influential.
"We want indeed to share our tears, our sadness, our love and joy, our memories and stories . . . Like all the moments with Maire, these will be special and sacred," said Fr Casey.
Fr Joe Lucey told the congregation that despite Ms Buckley's retirement last September, she had been actively involved within the community on a daily basis. "She was a warrior of compassion. . .Warrior is the right word to use for Maire in relation to her goodness and compassion," he said.
Fr Lucey recalled how he had received a text message on Sunday announcing the "inexplicably horrible" death of Ms Buckley. "Like all of us, I could not accept that Maire Buckley had been killed," he said.
Following a funeral mass today at 11am, Ms Buckley will be laid to rest in Fingal cemetery.