Deep sadness greets news of tragic passing of Sr Bernard

The woman who died in the single vehicle traffic incident in Athlone this afternoon has been named locally as Sr Bernard Lynch.

News of her passing has been met with an outpouring of grief in the area.

Originally from Arigna, in North Roscommon, Sr Bernard was based in Athlone since the late 1960s.

She worked in education for much of her life, serving as principal of St Peter's National School from 1974 until her retirement in 1993.

Following her retirement, she remained actively involved in parish ministry in St Peter and Paul's Parish.

The parish paid a fitting tribute to her on its Facebook page tonight, stating that she had touched the lives of many families over her 50-plus years in Athlone.

Sr Bernard had a longstanding love for, and involvement in, music, which included conducting a children's choir at a Mass in St Peter and Paul's Church for many years. She also served as chaplain at St Aloysius College in Athlone.

She celebrated her Golden Jubilee in religious life in 1999. In an interview with the Westmeath Independent in 2012, she spoke about the continuing importance of her faith.

"We always said the Rosary at home every night while growing up, and devotion to Our Lady in my life has been my stronghold," she said.