THE gifted head teacher who died in a road collision last weekend is to be remembered during services at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.

Ally Mullany, who was head of St Joseph’s Catholic Combined School in Parkstone, was killed on the B3075 last Sunday morning when her Mini was involved in a head-on crash with a fire engine on its way to another fatal collision on the A35.

Two of her four children were airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Father Barry Hallett, priest of St Joseph’s and St Walburga’s Church, led prayers for Mrs Mullany’s shocked colleagues the following day, when the school remained closed as a mark of respect.

“She was a member of the church community. I knew her well. She was a bright star, a very special person. She will be mentioned at all of the services this weekend, and her family as well. They are coping as well as can be expected.”

He described the outpouring of grief for Mrs Mullany as “overwhelming”. The church in Archway Road, Parkstone, has also been open for longer hours than usual all week so that people who are at work during the day can pay their respects.

“The idea is that people can light a candle and say a prayer. Our Lady Chapel has candles, flowers and pictures that the children have drawn and a book of remembrance will remain open,” said Fr Hallett.

In a tribute on the school’s website, Val Arbon, chairman of Poole Headteachers Association, said: “Ally Mullany was a force for life, an inspirational, positive and determined head teacher who was committed and deeply passionate about making a difference to the lives of children.

“She gave her time willingly to support education in Poole and found the time to contribute beyond the bounds of her own school. She inspired colleagues and friends to act not just talk. She was always cheerful and enthusiastic and education will be the poorer for her loss.

“All head teachers locally are greatly saddened by this tragedy and send sincere condolences to her family and everyone at St Joseph’s Combined School.”

No details of the funeral have been released.

Inquests adjourned

A POPULAR head teacher killed in a horrific collision with a fire engine died of head injuries, an inquest heard.

Ally Mullany, 50, head of St Joseph’s Catholic Combined School in Parkstone, died on Sunday morning and two of her four children suffered serious injuries.

District coroner Sheriff Payne heard the fire engine had its blue lights and siren on and was heading north when it collided with Mrs Mullany’s red Mini on the B3075, one kilometre south of the junction with the A35.

The Bournemouth inquest heard Mrs Mullany’s body was formally identified by her husband, Brendan. She lived at Loop Farm Road in Lytchett Matravers.

The coroner heard the fire engine was on its way to an earlier fatal incident on the A35 when the crash happened.

Opening a second inquest he said Robert Taylor, 66, of Sway Gardens, Bournemouth died of multiple injuries due to blunt trauma when his Ford Focus left the road and collided with a tree at 7.45am. The vehicle was travelling in the direction of Bere Regis from Poole.

Mr Taylor’s body was identified by his wife, Lee.

Both inquests were adjourned to a date to be fixed.