Irish teenager Tara Whelan was believed to be on her way to pick up presents for her friends and relatives on the last day of her holiday when she lost her life in a bus bomb attack in Turkey. Olivia Kelleher reports from Waterford.
Tara Whelan (17) was described by locals in her home village of Kilmeaden, Co Waterford, as a fun-loving, easygoing girl who adored animals and nature.
Deirdre Dunphy, owner of the the Sweep bar in Kilmeaden where Tara worked for three years, said the youngster probably intended to buy gifts for "half the pub".
"She was that type of girl. She was lovely and like family to me. It was heartbreaking this morning to open the safe and see her pay packet in front of me.
"She was on holiday with one of the other girls in the pub, Tracy. Tracy was in this morning and she can't believe what has happened. She said when she heard of the bus bomb she knew that Tara was dead."
Tara worked as a part-time waitress at the Sweep with her friend Tracy Galgey. Tracy, her twin sister Lindsay and Tara had saved for months for their first holiday abroad as a treat following the completion of their Leaving Cert exams.
Tracy and Lindsay flew back to Ireland yesterday and were being comforted by friends and relatives at their home in Kilmeaden last night.
Friends spoke yesterday about Tara's passion for animals, and how she helped out on a weekly basis at a goat sanctuary near the Cosy Thatch pub in Kilmeaden.
Owner of the goat sanctuary Philomena Lynott, mother of Thin Lizzy singer Phil, said she couldn't believe that such a young and vibrant girl's life had been ended prematurely.
"In the name of God what has happened to the world? This is just a little girl who went on holiday with her friends and was out to buy a few presents. She was a gentle, loving soul," she said.
Owner of the Cosy Thatch pub Martin Doyle said the community was in mourning as it had lost two young people in the past week. Last Friday Derek Ryan (23), from the neighbouring village of Ballyduff, was killed in a car crash.
"It is very sad to lose two young people. I am distraught over Tara. She was just an innocent girl. She was earthed to the ground and loved animals. She didn't even own a mobile phone," Mr Doyle said.
Tara, a talented musician, was a pupil at Mercy Convent in Waterford city and was said to be considering entering the pub trade. Vice-principal of the Mercy Convent Declan Clancy yesterday offered his condolences to the Whelan family.
"Tara had a bright future and was very personable," said Mr Clancy. "We can only imagine the trauma the family are going through. It is a terrible tragedy."
Tara, who was the youngest in her family, is survived by her parents, Tony and Frances. Her two brothers and two sisters were being consoled by friends at the family home yesterday.
Liam Grace, a regular at the Sweep, summed up the mood in the village yesterday by saying that the community was "dumbfounded and shocked". "She always had a smile and a laugh. I would come in and she would say, 'How are ya, pet?' She was a pet of a girl."