The family of the Irish teacher who died in the Dubai bus crash on June 6 have described how 'devastated' they are over her loss.-Supplied photo
Dubai - Ireland's Minister of Education and Skills, Joe Mchugh, posted his condolences to the family on his Twitter account.
Published: Mon 10 Jun 2019, 5:43 PM
The family of the Irish teacher who died in the Dubai bus crash on June 6 has described how 'devastated' they are over her death.
Tributes for Fiona Geraghty poured in yesterday from her friends and family, after she was identified as one of the 17 victims who died in the crash.
Geraghty, 27, was from Balbriggan in Dublin and taught at Dubai's School of Research Science. She was on the bus with her partner, who is in a stable condition. The two were returning to Dubai from their Eid Al Fitr break in Oman.
Geragthy's brother, David, told Khaleej Times: "All I can say is that I am devastated by her death, and my family and I, as well as everyone close to her, are struggling with the grief. She was loved dearly and will be sorely missed by everyone."
Her parents had posted a death notice online on rip.ie, which said: "It is with broken hearts that we announce the death of Fiona Geraghty, beloved daughter of Christopher and Mary and sister of David and Robert. Tragically, following an accident in Dubai. Fiona will be very sadly missed by her loving parents, brothers, partner Fiachra, aunts, uncles, cousins and a very wide circle of friends, teachers and pupils of St. Molaga's National School, Balbriggan and School of Research Science, Dubai."
Several people also paid their tributes to Geragthy and her family on social media after her brother posted about his sister's passing on Facebook.
"Today is the saddest day of my life. I lost my sister Fiona in a bus accident in Dubai last night. She will be forever in my memory and in my heart as she was loved deeply. RIP Fiona," the post said.
Matthew Kilmurry replied: "Really sorry to hear that, David. My thoughts are with you and your family."
Loraine Morgan said: "There are no words. just know that we are all here to support you and your family and Fiona's partner."
Ireland's Minister of Education and Skills, Joe Mchugh, posted his condolences to the family on his Twitter account.
"Desperately sad news from Dubai today and the loss of so many lives in a road accident. My deepest sympathy to parents and family of the young teacher who died in the bus crash. My sympathy also to the teaching community in UAE and all of the couple's friends. The death of a loved one overseas is a deeply difficult circumstance for any family to deal with and our embassy will be there for you," he said.
Details of the funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
On June 6, an Omani bus driver crashed into a road height restriction barrier near Al Rashidiya Metro station. The barrier was 2.2 metres high, and the Dubai Police said the driver wrongly entered the road that was allocated only for cars.
Out of the 31 people on board, 15 people died on the spot and 16 were rushed to the hospital, according to statements from authorities. Two more died later, raising the total death toll to 17. Six passengers received treatment for injuries, with one being critically injured. Eight passengers were treated and discharged.
The victims included 12 Indian nationals, two Pakistanis, one Omani and one Filipina.
The Consul-General of the Philippine Consulate in Dubai, Paul Raymund Cortes, told Khaleej Times that the brother of the deceased will be arriving from Oman "soon" to identify the body.
The mortal remains of nine Indian victims have been repatriated to their hometowns and the families of the remaining three opted to perform their last rites in the UAE.
sarwat@khaleetimes.com
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