At a public function held in conjunction with the retirement of school principal, Dermot O’Driscoll, the parents and Board of Management of Scoil an Athar Tadhg in Carraig na bhFear honoured local bus driver Liam Crowley in the school hall on Wednesday afternoon.
Liam has been transporting children to the local primary school for the past thirty years.
Liam’s dedication to the children of the area was recognised when he was presented with a beautiful piece of Waterford Crystal. Georgina Connolly, speaking on behalf of the parents, described the professional, caring attitude of Liam which made travelling to school an enjoyable and safe experience for each of her five daughters.
Georgina praised Liam for the care he took of all the children on his bus. She said she was only echoing the experience of all other parents when conveying that Liam would never drive off until he saw his young passengers reunited with a parent when they disembarked from his bus each evening.
Liam never rushed and his thirty years of safe driving is testimony of this fact. Even though her children have moved on from primary school, it was a shock to hear that Liam is no longer ferrying the children of Carraig na bhFear to school.
Joe Hanafin, commenting on Liam’s involvement with the school, spoke of the assistance Liam would give when transporting children on school trips. He said that Liam was always understanding to the needs of his passengers and that he was a hero to the children, especially those attending the Autistic Unit.
Mr Hanafin also expressed his disappointment with the current tendering process which has seen independent bus operators throughout the country lose the school route contract to bigger, and in some instances, subsidised companies.
In accepting the beautiful piece of crystal and a well merited hotel break voucher, Liam said he was humbled by the kind remarks of both Georgina and Joe. He commended the parents and the children who he transported, for their mannerly behaviour.
Mr Hanafin also expressed his gratitude to the board of management and to Alice Mullins, Joanne Crowley, Mary Barry and Conor Murphy, along with Georgina, for their support in organising the tribute to Liam.
Mr. Jim Crotty from the school’s board of management presented Liam’s wife Emer with a beautiful flower arrangement in appreciation for the care that she and her husband have taken of the school children.
