The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
A BRUSH WITH LONDON TERROR
STUDENTS and staff at St Brigid’s Secondary School were just metres from the London Bridge terror attack on Friday.
Around 70 Leaving Cert students and six staff members were at the Monument to the Great Fire of London as part of the Killarney school’s annual science trip. They were just 300 metres from London Bridge when Usman Khan began his murderous spree shortly before 2pm. The St Brigid’s contingent had been on the bridge in the hour leading up to the attack, in which three people were killed, including the attacker.
The group had travelled to ‘Monument’ for its spectacular views of the city when they noticed people running across the main junction. Aware that something terrible was happening, the group quickly moved to Monument Underground Station and boarded a train to the Imperial War Museum, where they stayed until they knew everything was okay.
Deputy Principal Máiread Lucey told The Kerryman that once the contingent became aware of what had happened, the students were asked to contact their parents to tell them they were okay. They also made contact with the school to inform them of their safety.
“The girls are a credit to their parents and families and are fantastic ambassadors for our school,” Ms Lucey said. “We are very proud of them.”
MS Lucey explained that the group returned on Saturday from the four-day trip, during which time they visited a number of museums, the Royal Portrait Gallery, The Royal Observatory in Greenwich, took a boat trip on the River Thames, and visited the Shakespeare Globe. The annual science trip takes place at the end of every calendar year and is considered as something of a rite of passage for Leaving Cert students at the school.
Ms Lucey said the students were fine following the incident and continued their touring of the city before their return home. After the situation had been brought under control on Friday, they went for dinner at a Planet Hollywood restaurant and saw a performance of Mama Mia.
“I’d been asking them how they were after the trip, and none of them mentioned the incident,” said Ms Lucey, who praised the staff for their prompt and composed handling of the situation.
“All the girls said to me was ‘We’re so tired’, and I’m not surprised, given the itinerary they had over the four days!”