Tributes paid to Karen Buckley and sympathies offered to family

Tánaiste Joan Burton has expressed her sympathy to the family and friends of Co Cork student Karen Buckley.

Scottish police discovered human remains near Glasgow in the search for the 24-year old, who went missing in the early hours of Sunday.

Det Supt Jim Kerr confirmed on Thursday the body discovered on the farm was Ms Buckley’s.

In the Dáil, Ms Burton said her sympathies were particularly with Ms Buckley’s parents and her brothers.

She said: “It’s every parent’s nightmare what has unfolded in the past few days.”

Her comments were echoed by Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald and Fianna Fáil’s Éamon Ó Cuív.

Officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs are to make their consular services available to the Ms Buckley’s family.

Minister of State and Cork East TD Seán Sherlock has confirmed that the Department of Foreign Affairs will liaise with the Buckley family in Glasgow in the coming days.

“The most important thing now is that we do everything we can to get Karen home and that we rally to ensure that that process is as seamless as possible for the family. This is deeply upsetting news for the Buckley family and the entire community in Mallow and North Cork. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Karen.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan also expressed his support for the Buckley family and his sadness at the news:

"On behalf of the Government, I wish to express appreciation for all that has been done by the Scottish authorities, and especially Police Scotland in Glasgow, to find Karen and to support the Buckley family throughout this very difficult time."

Leader of the SNP Nicola Sturgeon also expressed her sympathies on Thursday morning on Twitter.

Catholic Bishop of Cloyne, Dr William Crean, led the prayers for Ms Buckley at a vigil on Wednesday night.

“On my own behalf and on behalf of the faithful of the Diocese of Cloyne, I wish to offer prayerful support to the family of Karen Buckley at this painful time as they await the safe return of Karen,” he said.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) extended sincere sympathy, on behalf of all its members, to the family, friends and nursing colleagues of Ms Buckley.

Ms Buckley was a member of the INMO as a student nurse in University Hospital Limerick.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Ms Buckley, which sparked a four day search.

The 24-year-old Cork girl was last seen at around 1am on Sunday morning after telling friends she was going to the toilet at Glasgow’s The Sanctuary nightclub.

She was last seen on CCTV in the early hours of Sunday outside the nightclub in Dumbarton Road. She then travelled in a man’s car to a flat in Dorchester Avenue, about two miles from the night club.

After Miss Buckley’s handbag was found in Dawsholm Park on Tuesday the search moved to High Craigton farm in the north of the city.