Berkeley tragedy: Building was twice in breach of regulations

The Berkeley balcony collapse was one in an “alarming” series of similar incidents in the San Francisco area, a lawyer who has represented victims in other cases has said.

Neil McCarthy of the Cotchett Pitre McCarthy law firm in San Francisco also said dry rot was by far the most common cause of balconies collapsing.

His comments to RTÉ Radio came as Berkeley city council released housing inspection documents showing the apartment complex where the six Irish students were thrown to their deaths was twice in breach of regulations because of suspected dry rot in 2013.