Graduates pause to remember Cork students

A minute of silence was held today at University College Cork graduation ceremonies as a mark of respect to two Cork students who died in a car crash in the Algarve.

The two students were named as Paula O’Neill, Baltimore Lawn in Douglas, and Aisling O’Loughlin, who lived near Rochestown College, both aged 22, and third year students at the Department of Science at UCC.

The students and a German university lecturer were killed when their car collided with a train at a crossing in Portugal’s Algarve region.

Two Portuguese passengers, who were also in the car, were injured in yesterday’s accident and were taken to hospital. One was in serious condition.

More than 400 graduates, along with college staff, their family and friends paused for a minute to remember Aisling and Paula today.

College Chaplain Fr Michael Regan and Students’ Union President Tommy Reidy were today organising counselling for students and friends of the dead girls.

A special prayer service in the Honan Chapel at UCC will be organised later in the week.

Speaking on behalf of students and staff of UCC, President Professor Gerard T. Wrixon today said: “May I extend our deepest sympathies to Aisling and Paula’s loved ones, at this very sad and difficult time.

“Today our thoughts are with the girls’ families and friends as they begin to mourn the loss of their cherished Aisling and Paula, whose young lives have been so sadly cut short.”

Student Union President Tommy Reidy said: “We are obviously as shocked as every else. This was a terrible accident. Our deepest sympathies lie with the families."

A spokeswoman for UCC said the girls had only flown out to Portugal earlier this month to take part in an ERASMUS programme at Universidade do Algarve.

The college is only one of UCC’s many university partners.