A CANDLE memorial at a university was among a flood of tributes to masters' student Karen Buckley, whose death left her family "absolutely heartbroken."

As the discovery of the 24-year-old's body on farmland near Glasgow was confirmed yesterday, senior Irish Government figures and those who knew the nurse sent heartfelt messages of sympathy to her family.

Karen's family issued a statement which was read by Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr at a press conference yesterday afternoon.

In it, Mr Buckley said: "Marian and I, together with our sons Brendan, Kieran, and Damian are absolutely heartbroken.

"Karen was our only daughter, cherished by her family and loved by her friends.

"She was an outgoing girl who travelled the world, where she met lots of people and thoroughly enjoyed her life.

"We will miss her terribly."

Det Supt Kerr said: "We cannot imagine the pain and suffering of Karen's family and friends and all our thoughts are with them at this very sad and distressing time."

He thanked the public both in Glasgow and Ireland for their "significant assistance" which he said had been "very, very helpful."

Ireland's deputy prime minister Joan Burton told parliament her thoughts were with the grieving parents and Karen's three brothers.

She said:"It's every parent's nightmare what has unfolded in recent days."

As messages poured in, the University of Limerick held a mass in her memory and created a small memorial with a photograph and candle at the reception to the health sciences building where Ms Buckley's nursing studies began.

A spokeswoman for the university said the college community, in particular the department of nursing and midwifery, was deeply saddened by her disappearance and the subsequent tragic reports.

She said: "Karen was a very valued member of the UL community as well as the wider nursing and medical communities in Limerick, having spent time working in both the University Hospital Limerick and the University Maternity Hospital.

"The thoughts of the entire UL community are with her parents and family and her wide circle of friends as well as her UL classmates and medical colleagues."

Prayers were also offered at services near Ms Buckley's home in Mourneabbey, north Cork, and the nearby town of Mallow.

Her immediate family were being supported by Irish consular staff in Scotland.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said: "All of our thoughts and prayers are with Karen's parents, John and Marian, and with all of her family and friends at this tragic time."

He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Scottish authorities, especially Police Scotland in Glasgow, in the investigation.

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the discovery was heartbreakingly sad.

Father Joe O'Keeffe, parish priest of Mourneabbey, described the deep sense of despair in the area where the family live.

He said: "All we can say to the parishioners is to pray for the Buckley family and to continue to keep them in our prayers.

"We are there for the family in solidarity with them and hopefully continue to be in the days that lie ahead. I suppose we were living in hope of better news."

The Irish Nurses' and Midwives' Organisation also offered sympathy to Ms Buckley's family, friends and nursing colleagues on behalf of all its members.

"Her family and her former colleagues in University Hospital Limerick are in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time," the union said.

Sean Sherlock, a junior minister from the Cork area, added: "My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Karen in Mourneabbey, Cork, Glasgow and throughout the world."

St Mary's Secondary School in Mallow, Co Cork, where Ms Buckley had studied before going to college, also offered family and friends their sympathies.

Friends raised the alarm on Sunday morning after Karen failed to return from a night out after leaving The Sanctuary club in Dumbarton Road.

A four-day search, including specialist police divers, a helicopter crew and search dogs, led officers to High Craigton Farm on the north-western outskirts of Glasgow where human remains were recovered on Wednesday night.

Searches had previously focused on Dawsholm Park, where Miss Buckley's handbag was found on Tuesday, and a property in the city's Dorchester Avenue.

A police presence remained at the sites yesterday.

A 21-year-old man is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court today.