Berkeley: Let students express their loss and grief their way

Rita de Brún suggests the words of GP Dr Harry Barry for anyone — young people in particular and their parents — struggling to cope with the Berkeley tragedy  

THE tragic loss of six young students, in Berkeley, California, five of whom were from Dublin, has devastated the lives of all close to them and instilled shock and sadness in the wider community.

Five of the victims, all of whom were in their early 20s, had travelled from Ireland to the United States on J1 visas. The tragedy occurred when they were celebrating the 21st birthday of a friend, and the balcony on which they were standing collapsed.