Berkeley tragedy: Plans being put in place to repatriate bodies of students
The sixth student, Irish American Ashley Donohoe will be buried in Rohnert Park, a city about an north of San Francisco on Saturday.
Jimmy Deenihan, the minister responsible for diaspora affairs, has travelled to San Francisco to give first-hand support to the families, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said.
“It’s hoped the arrangements will be made shortly for repatriation of the bodies so they can be brought home to Ireland at the earliest opportunities.
“Government is in close contact with everybody involved, offering our assistance in conjunction with airlines, final arrangements have not been completed. Government is supporting and assisting in every way they can in these difficult times.”
Mr Flanagan said there has been a huge outpouring of grief across the country.
“What we’re witnessing here in Dublin and in other parts of the country is a real outpouring of grief on the part of the Irish people, not only for the six bereaved families who are injured, young people everywhere feel a deep sense of sadness and grief and loss.”
Asked about the offer from the Irish Paediatric Acute Transport Service to help bring the bodies home, Mr Flanagan said: “I’m very struck by the individuals and groups who have offered support to families, all these matters are under consideration, no final decision has yet been made.”
On the health costs of the seven students still being treated in hospital, he said: “Now the priority and indeed the entire focus is on the care and health and well-being, particularly those in hospital, and we’re anxious to ensure every help and assistance is made available to them.”
READ MORE: Berkeley: Let students express their loss and grief their way.
Mr Deenihan will meet Irish community representatives, local US authorities and people who assisted grieving families and friends to thank them for their work.
“The tragic loss of six young lives at the beginning of a summer in California which should have been filled with new experiences, new opportunities and new friends, is simply heart-breaking,” he said.
Health Minister Leo Varadkar said the loss of life is a national tragedy for Ireland.
“Most of us have been on J1s and we’ve had that summer in America, it’s not what you expect to happen. For parents it’s the worst phone call you could possibly get. One of those injured is a constituent of mine and the family have been in touch with the consul general in San Francisco.
“I actually know the father of one of the people who died and I think that goes to show how small a country Ireland is. I think almost everyone has been touched in some way. It really is a national tragedy for Ireland.”
Rotted wooden beams are the likely cause of the accident at the Library Gardens complex, local mayor Tom Bates signalled.
As investigations are ongoing into the cause of the sudden balcony collapse the City of Berkeley released reams of documents on the planning and design of the building which was completed in early 2007.
The mayor said it was his view that rain and water damage made the beams holding the balcony unstable. Mr Bates said it was “obviously a bad idea” for 13 people to be on the fourth floor balcony at one time but stressed he was not blaming the victims.
Another balcony at the apartment complex has since been deemed “structurally unsafe” and a “collapse hazard”. The owners have been ordered to demolish it. Two other balconies were sealed off or “red-tagged” as tests continue.
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