Amy Maguire, who is the manager of the Butler Community Centre, told Irish broadcaster RTÉ News, external that there is a lot of “shock and disbelief” running through the entire community.
Maguire said they opened their centre earlier on Tuesday as a hub for the community to gather, offering tea and coffee. The nearby Sacred Heart Resource Centre also offered liaison and counselling services.
“You know, this is a tight-knit community, it’s a small community and, as the local centre, it’s our job to ensure that we look after the community. So, as long as they need us, we’ll be there,” Maguire said.
“Local butchers have donated sandwiches, we’ve had local companies donate tea, coffee, beverages, snacks, crisps, sandwiches, everything, as well as services.”
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) has also contacted and visited schools in the area to support staff and communities affected by the fatal fire in Waterford.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said NEPS, which acts as the department’s frontline responder, had been providing support and advice to school management and staff “to support the management of the situation, as the impact of the incident unfolds”.