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Psychologists brought in to Carn
primary school
23.10.14
PSYCHOLOGISTS has been
brought in to support staff and pupils at a Carndonagh primary school affected this week by the
tragic deaths of a teacher’s parents.
Staff at St Patrick's Girls' School in Carndonagh
were left reeling following the discovery of the
bodies of pensioners Jimmy and Kathleen Cuddihy,
both in their 70s, at their home on Thursday
morning.
The couple's daughter Delilah, a highly popular
staff member at the 14-teacher national school, had
arrived for work as normal that morning.
However, she was abruptly called away just minutes
later as news of the shocking deaths of her beloved
parents reached her.
Psychologists from the National Educational
Psychological Service (NEPS) travelled from
Letterkenny later that day to talk to her colleagues
at the local national school. Parents were also
informed of the unfolding tragedy.
Ms Cuddihy’s colleagues were said to be "badly
shocked" by the tragedy. |
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Kathleen and Jimmy Cuddihy who were
found dead at their Carn home. |
The NEPS psychologists
have been counselling staff and preparing them for
questions that will inevitably come from their young
pupils, particularly those taught by Ms Cuddihy.
"The children will be wondering about their teacher
and what happened to her mammy and daddy. Everyone
is glad the mid-term break is coming up," a source
said.
During major incidents NEPS psychologists assist
schools in preparing a critical incident management
plan.
A NEPS spokesperson said: "Staff members will then
know what to do when something occurs that upsets
the normal running of the school and individual
members will take on different roles in managing the
school’s response.
"The school authorities have been in touch with NEPS
in relation to this particular tragedy and NEPS
psychologists are providing assistance to the school
community in this matter.”
Retired Kilkenny-born maths teacher Mr Cuddihy and
his wife, a retired nurse from nearby Malin, lived
at their Churchtown bungalow for over four decades.
The couple, who had four grown-up children, were
heavily involved in local sporting, music and
fundraising circles.
Their 42-year-old son Julian was charged last night
with their murders. He has been remanded in custody
to Castlerea Prison to appear at Letterkenny court
next Wednesday.
Meanwhile, St Patrick's Girls' School cancelled its
annual Hallowe'en Hooley including a colourful drum
and samba parade that was due to take place through
the streets of Carndonagh yesterday.
The whole community was invited to join the fun but
instead their festivities have turned to sadness as
they grapple with the events that unfolded in the
town this week. |
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