Last summer 12 Irish students in Berkeley, California were standing on a balcony when it disentegrated beneath their feet. Joe Leogue provides an update on the survivors, their search for justice and hears from students in the area today

Students working in Berkeley, California on a J1 visa say they have encountered difficulties in securing accommodation because they are Irish.

The US district attorney who investigated the Berkeley balcony collapse in which five Irish students and one Irish American woman died has decided against bringing criminal charges.

More than 400 balconies in Berkeley, California are in need of corrective work, according to a report on the city’s buildings that was commissioned following the deaths of six Irish students last June.

A report on the inspection of thousands of buildings in Berkeley is to be published in the next fortnight, following the balcony collapse that claimed the lives of six Irish students in the Californian city last summer.

Preliminary civil legal proceedings following the Berkeley balcony collapse are due to commence in Oakland, California, on Monday.

A survivor of the Berkeley balcony collapse which claimed the lives of six friends in the US has returned to her studies.

The final survivor of the Berkeley balcony collapse is officially on her way home to Ireland, it has been confirmed.

“We all grieve together. We all grieve in our own way, at our own speed. We all have our good days and our bad days, but we have them together.”

Family members and friends of the seven injured Berkeley balcony collapse victims are taking part in a 72-hour cycle in a bid to raise funds for spiralling health costs.

Aoife Beary, one of the survivors of the Berkeley balcony collapse, has made significant improvements in her recovery. She has just been moved to a new facility so she can start her rehabilitation.

Niall Murray and Jack Halpin, two of those injured in the Berkeley balcony collapse, are due to travel home to Ireland next week.

The family of Jack Halpin, one of the survivors of the Berkeley balcony collapse, has revealed the extent of the young man’s injuries and said his road to recovery will be “very long and complicated”.

Aoife Beary, one of the survivors of the Berkeley balcony collapse, has woken from her coma and is no longer in a critical condition.

Clodagh Cogley, one of the survivors of the Berkeley balcony collapse, has received an outpouring of public support following her inspiring words about the tragedy which killed six students, injured seven, and left her unable to walk.

A balcony that collapsed, killing six students, was only added to the side of an apartment block to make the building look nicer, it emerged in documents released by the city of Berkeley.

Local court reports have shown that the builder of the Berkeley apartments had paid off more than $6m (€5.2m) in law suits because of bad balcony building practices.

Images of rotting wood left exposed by the deadly collapse of a balcony in Berkeley are “incredibly similar” to pictures used in a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the construction company that built the complex where six students died, it was claimed last night.

The balcony below the one that collapsed, killing six young students, including five Irish, was removed yesterday after being branded an immediate “collapse hazard” by Berkeley city inspectors.

Two of the seven Irish people injured in the Berkeley balcony collapse remained in a serious condition in hospital last night.

Authorities have sealed off all the balconies in the apartment building where six students plunged to their death during a 21st birthday party.

Computer users are being urged to change passwords because of an internet security problem.

BACK in 2002, this house at No 4 St Stephen’s Place, Friar Street in Cork city, went on the market at €220,000 and sold for somewhere around €260,000 – today it’s up for sale again at €270,000.

SAFFRON HILL — the name alone is attractive and individual — just like the house.

A THREE-BED in very good condition is on offer at 33 Gillabbey Street at €210,000 through Conor Flynn of Conor P Flynn and Company.

IT’S plain and unpretentious — but what a location.

NUMBER 32 The Crescent – is a pretty house, with masses of appeal, and this classic semi has plenty of other things going for it too.

FACEBOOK has come under fire from internet security experts over a relaxation in its privacy settings, which may place younger people at increased risk of being preyed on.

STAR players Anthony Lynch, Graham Canty and James Masters return to the Cork team for Sunday’s Allianz NFL clash with Armagh at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

THIS house is a great bargain if a buyer’s prepared to do some subsidence work.

THE office of the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) is regarding as minor the loss of a USB computer memory device that contained the personal details of more than 800 Bank of Ireland customers.

QUAY HOUSE has a tucked away location in the centre of Cork city.

THE brochure details are scant — no 5, Mount Pleasant Avenue has a hallway, a living room with bay window, a dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms and a bathroom.

THERE are two for the choosing in one of the most convenient and established areas in Cork city — the Cross Douglas Road.

ALWAYS a snap buy when they come up, Red Abbey Court houses are right in the ‘flat of the city’ and combine convenience with own-door privacy.

GOOD value at the guide price of €400,000 (if such a thing could be said in this market), No 11, Woodville in Rochestown, offers substantial accommodation with a handy address.

AUCTIONS for residential properties are rare in Cork city. The normal approach is by private treaty, unlike Dublin, where many properties end up going under the hammer, making big money in this mad market.

THERE aren’t many detached houses on the market in Shanakiel - ever. Which makes the sale of Woodside House a bit of a blue moon event for selling agent, Conor Flynn of Conor P Flynn and Associates.

INNER city properties are popular among first-time buyers: they are convenient, cute and affordable.

A HOUSE with a very good site and a location almost at the Lee Tunnel, plus an asking price of €280,000 all add up to a very attractive package.

WATERFALL is one of those areas in Cork’s western suburbs with a predominance of one-off housing.