Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, has paid tribute to the bravery of the priest killed in the Co Cork bus crash, who he said sacrificed himself to save his secretary.

Locals told media that Fr Con Cronin was having lunch with a woman in Monkstown, and pushed her out of the way of the Bus Éireann bus as it lost control and veered towards them on Tuesday.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1, Archbishop Farrell said it was a “very sad day”.

“Could I sympathise with Fr Con Cronin and his family on the tragic death of Fr Cronin and pay tribute to his bravery, where he sacrificed himself to save his secretary.

“But also just pay tribute to all my priest colleagues on this feast day of St John Vianney, the patron saint of priests.”