School friends of Tara Whelan were yesterday asked to celebrate their friend's life rather than dwell on the tragedy of her death.
Former sixth-year pupils at Our Lady of Mercy, Waterford city, gathered yesterday for a special remembrance service. A book of condolences was opened and one of the most recent photographs of Tara took pride of place as the focal point of the memorial at the school.
Vice-principal of the school, Declan Clancy, said Tara's life was a legacy for her classmates and that it was important to celebrate the manner in which she had lived her 17 years.
"She lived her life to the full. She participated in a lot of things," said Mr Clancy. "She didn't own a mobile phone. She could afford it but she was very self-assured, very happy. She lived her life. My hope would be for our students and all young people not to over-dwell and get depressed. Of course you must grieve but you should celebrate your life the way she celebrated her life."
He stressed that young people shouldn't be held "captives of fear" because of the atrocities committed by terrorist organisations.
The noon remembrance service at the school was attended by twins Lyndsey and Tracy Galgey who accompanied Tara on her ill-fated trip to the Turkish resort of Kusadasi.
The Department of Education made contact with Our Lady of Mercy School yesterday regarding the provision of counselling for students. Psychologists will be on hand long-term to provide further assistance to Tara's classmates.
Ms Whelan was due to receive her Leaving Certificate results in a few weeks' time.
Meanwhile, in Tara's home village of Kilmeaden, Co Waterford, yesterday, neighbours and friends of the teenager were finding it difficult to come to terms with their loss.
Parish priest Fr Michael O'Byrne said parishioners were feeling "numbed" by a number of recent tragedies in the area. Last week 23-year-old Derek Ryan of Ballyduff lost his life in a car crash. Tara Whelan's parents, Tony and Frances, attended his funeral last Friday and provided refreshments for mourners afterwards.
Just 24 hours later they received the news from Turkey that their daughter had died in a bomb attack on a minibus as she made her way to Kusadasi to buy gifts for friends and relatives.
Fr O'Byrne said: "Tara's death in such awful circumstances has hit the local community very hard. We have had a lot of tragedy. We are absolutely numb with shock. The families involved are at the heart of the parish. There is an awful lot of bereavement and pain here right now. We stand with the families at this painful time. We should never underestimate the power of the prayers of the people."
Fr O'Byrne said he knew Tara since she was a young child and he, like other parishioners, had been captivated by her "trademark dazzling smile".
He described her as a gifted musician who was particularly adept at the tin whistle. She was an active member of the Kilmeadan young people's choir and was a keen sportswoman who had a particular fondness for horse riding.
Tara's classmates will pay a special tribute by providing a guard of honour at her funeral. Even though they have left school the youngster's friends plan to wear their old uniform in Tara's honour.
President Mary McAleese has extended her condolences to the Whelan family. She is expected to be represented at the funeral.