A Limerick district judge yesterday paid an emotional tribute to Sister Joan Bowles, who was killed in a traffic accident, "for her unselfish work with the city's young people". Judge Tom O'Donnell said it was with sincere regret that he had learned of the tragic death of "a lady who gave herself unselfishly".
The 59-year-old Mercy Order sister was killed instantly when her car was in collision with a train at 5 p.m. on Thursday evening at an unmanned level crossing at Woodfarm, between Killonan and Dromkeen, on the main Limerick-Tipperary road. She was on errands to do with the wedding of her niece, Karyn Bowles. The wedding went ahead at St John's Church in Cratloe, Co Clare, yesterday.
An internal Iarnród Eireann investigation is continuing.
The Catholic Bishop of Limerick, Dr Donal Murray, sent a message of sympathy from the US to the family and the Mercy Order, and Father Tony Mullins, Limerick diocesan secretary, said: "She provided the model for the whole of Ireland for the care and development of young disadvantaged people."
Burial takes place to Pallasgreen Cemetery following Requiem Mass tomorrow at 2 p.m.