Irish students ‘should still come to US’

AN Irish student who lost one of his best friends in the Virginia Tech shootings has said it must not discourage Irish students from going to America for an education.

Nicholas Kiersey, a native of Blessington, Co Wicklow, was not at the campus when the shootings occurred — the PhD student, and teaching assistant on European Affairs is working in the University of Virginia until he completes his PhD in May.

However, his girlfriend was there and yesterday he was travelling to the university from his work in the University of Virginia to comfort her over the loss of their friend Reema Sahama.

“We did not know she was even involved until late on Monday night. At that point we got word that she was in hospital,” he said.

“Then we got the word last night that she had died and that she was the 33rd and last so far, though there are many more in hospital.”

Mr Kiersey, who has been living in Virginia for five years, said that despite the hype which had been built up at the campus with news crews swarming around it, the fact remained there had not been a mass shooting at a university in America since 1966.

However, he admitted this incident would have much more far-reaching consequences as many of the children at Virginia Tech have powerful families.

“These are the sons and daughters of policy makers, espionage people, defence contractors, all manner of American government.”

However, he said the human element must not be forgotten, adding that the tragedy must not discourage Irish students from studying in the US.

“I would not hesitate to encourage anyone to come to the US. This is obviously a tragic event but we have to put it in context.”

Gorey resident and University College Dublin exchange student Nicola Greene told how she woke up to the sound of sirens between 7.15am and 7.30am only yards from where she was sleeping.

She was about to go to a 10am class when she received an email telling her not to leave the dormitory. That was when the bulk of the victims were shot.

“We were eventually let out of the dorm several hours after what had happened. We are getting all our information from TV and people calling” she said.

Three other Irish students, Esther Ryan, Liam Brennan and Eoin Butler all escaped injury in the tragedy.