KAREN Buckley was at the front of people’s minds in Glasgow yesterday, as the Irish community came together for the annual Fleadh competition.
300 musicians from all over Scotland were in the city where Karen had been living to compete for the top prizes in their age categories at Comhaltas Scotland's Fleadh - but the normally happy day was tinged with sadness as Karen’s death was very much on everyone’s mind.
“We started a book of condolences yesterday at the Fleadh,” said Theresa Gallagher-Murphy, of Comhaltas Scotland. “There were loads of people signing it – we have quite a few messages of sympathy already.”
“People have been talking about Karen. The Irish Diaspora have been at masses and vigils to show our support – and this is our way of getting our messages to her family.”
In all, more than 600 attended the competitions in Woodfarm High School, just outside of Glasgow, with many signing the book with messages of sympathy for the Buckley family.
Comhaltas Scotland now plans to send the book on condolences around to its four premises in the country – with two in Glasgow, one in Coatbridge and one in Holytown, before getting the messages of sympathy back to Karen’s parents in Cork.
To find out where you can sign the book of condolences, get in touch with Paddy Callaghan on 07708949919 or by email on [email protected].