A RETIRED Co Tyrone teacher killed after being struck by a car while walking with her sister has been described as “a lovely woman”.
Bridget Currie, aged in her seventies, was walking along the Quintinmanus Road at Edendork outside Dungannon yesterday morning with her sister Aileen, when the pair were struck by a Renault Megane shortly before 11am.
A police spokesman said Bridget, known to friends and family as Briege, died as a result of the collision, while Aileen, aged in her sixties, was taken to hospital for treatment.
A spokeswoman for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust last night said Aileen remained in a stable condition.
The female driver of the car did not suffer any injuries.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision, which occurred close to the junction of Gortnaglush Road, to contact them.
Tributes to Briege were paid yesterday as news of the tragedy spread in the rural community. She had links to Edendork GAC, where she played camogie in her younger years. A club spokesperson described the Curries as a “highly respected family, known far and wide as the Curries of Edendork”.
“As a community we are terribly shocked to learn of the untimely passing of the much loved Briege Currie,” the spokesperson said.
“With Briege at the time was her sister and best friend Aileen. We hope and pray that Aileen will make a full recovery. We also offer our prayers to the driver of the car involved and indeed her family.
“Briege, although quiet and unassuming, loved the chat and the craic. Briege always had a smile on her face. She was a caring and sincere person and she will be sorely missed by everyone in the Edendork community.”
Briege taught at St Patrick’s Primary School, Dungannon, before her retirement several years ago.
“She was a lovely woman and a very dedicated teacher,” vice-principal Roisin Campbell said. “She made learning so much fun for her pupils. She was loved by all. The governors, principal, staff and pupils wish to send our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the entire family circle at this most difficult time.”
Mid Ulster District councillor, Barry Monteith said: “Ms Currie was a well-known and very respected former teacher and our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones as they come to terms with this tragedy,” he said.
Mid Ulster Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon said: “This is a terrible tragedy for everyone involved and lives have been changed forever as a result.”
