Seeking words for enormity of tragedy

The school principal says it is most important to maintain routine for the sake of other children

A GREY grim sky hung over Ballycotton Bay yesterday as the small community tried to fathom the unspeakable tragedy that had unfolded in their midst on an ordinary November morning.

A fishing village, Ballycotton has experienced its share of tragedy at sea over the years with families losing loved ones to the sea, but yesterday’s tragedy had people almost at a loss for words.

Outside the driveway leading to the Butler home at Ballybraher – a well-maintained bungalow about a mile from Ballycotton village with a panoramic view across the bay to Garryvoe Strand – neighbours were understandably reluctant to speak.

Una Butler was being comforted by relatives and friends as she waited for the pathologists to come and examine the bodies of her two daughters, Zoe (6) and Ella (2), at the family home before she was allowed to see them.

Derry Keogh, the principal of Réalt na Mara primary school where Zoe was a pupil in first class, sought to put some words on the enormity of the tragedy and the task that faces him and his staff in the days ahead.

“On behalf of the school and the parents and the whole school community, we are deeply saddened at the tragedy which has happened – our thoughts and prayers go to the family and the wider family,” said Mr Keogh.

“Our main focus as a school is to look after the children in the school and help them cope, and already we have a psychologist from the National Educational Psychological Services in the school today working with the children.”

Mr Keogh said the most important task now was to ensure a routine was maintained for the other children.

“It’s difficult for anyone in this situation, but we just have to try and cope as best we can and again our focus is on the children over the next couple of days. We’ve had tragedies here before and people rallied around and gave great support, and they will do that again.

“Zoe was a beautiful young child – she was the youngest in her class, first class – she was six years of age and full of life, a bubbly child, a very happy and open child.”

Local curate Fr Aidan Crowley told how the news of the triple tragedy had unfolded so quickly and so dramatically in the closely knit community.

“The mood here is one of shock – I know it’s a cliche but people really are in a state of disbelief still. The family would have been very well-known and well- established in the community, and so many parents would have known them from Zoe going to school.

“The car accident was horrific and shocking enough itself, but what unfolded afterwards was even worse – I genuinely don’t believe that people have grasped the immensity of the tragedy that has happened here, and I think it will only sink in over the coming days.”

John Butler was a native of Cobh. Cllr John Mulvihill, who knew the man himself and his wider family, spoke of the great shock felt by people there as people learned of the tragedy and who was involved in it.

“John was a great sportsman, great competitor on the field, but very quiet off it – it’s just a terrible tragedy and my heart goes out to his family here in Cobh and his poor wife and what she must be going through now – it’s just unbelievable.”