Berkeley: Silent tribute in Dáil to young students
Ceann comhairle Sean Barrett suggested the Oireachtas holds an ecumenical service in the Dáil as a way of expressing its sympathy with the families involved.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the loss of life had touched every family in Ireland as the pictures of the dead and injured could have been anyone’s children.
“It is shocking to think such beautiful young people, full of joy, excitement and hope, who had only recently set off on a summer’s adventure, died so tragically,” Mr Kenny said.
READ MORE: New York Times apologises for Berkeley article .
Tánaiste Joan Burton said no words could express the grief felt at the deaths.
“I still recall the excitement of travelling to the US for the summer as a student with a J1 visa.
“Such a trip is meant to be a rite of passage, an opportunity to gain valuable life and cultural experience in a country, the US, that is dear to all our hearts. Today six families are heartbroken, their children wrenched away from them in the most dreadful of circumstances,” Ms Burton said.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said every family in the country was thinking about the tragedy.
“They were young people who were full of the joys of life. They were talented, outgoing, caring and global in their outlook, as revealed this morning by the principal of one of the students.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said it was a cliche that this was every parent’s nightmare because it was true.
Independent TD Finian McGrath, speaking for the technical group, said the events in Berkeley reminded him of other tragedies. “When the news broke, the first reaction of many of us, particularly those of us living in the north side of Dublin, was that it was a reminder of the Stardust tragedy.
“The same feeling came across as that following the Stardust fire tragedy many years ago. We think of young people who were taken away in a flash by an horrific incident. Many of us felt strongly for those families. It is difficult to respond and to deal with and feel the heartbreak.
Renua TD Lucinda Creighton said the dreams of the young people had turned to a nightmare.
Diaspora Minister Jimmy Deenihan has been sent to California to represent the Government.
READ MORE: New York Times apologises for Berkeley article .
