South Dublin grieves

THE Southside of Dublin has been devastated by last week’s tragedy in Berkeley, California.

After the initial shock came the unimaginable grief, the unanswered questions and the precious memories of the victims. Each and every one of them had achieved so much in their short but eventful lives; all taken so suddenly and randomly from their families and friends.

Olivia Burke (21), from Foxrock, was a student at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT). She was also fondly remembered by the staff and past pupils of Loreto Foxrock.

So too was Eimear Walsh (21), also from Foxrock, and a UCD student.

Niccolai Schuster (21), from Terenure, was a much-loved past pupil of St Mary’s College who had gone on to study in UCD.

Lorcán Miller (21), from Shankill, formerly of St Andrew’s College, was studying medicine in UCD

Eoghan Culligan (21), from Rathfarnham, was also a St Mary’s boy and was a student at DIT.

Irish-American Ashley Donohoe (22), who also died, was raised in California. She was a cousin of fellow victim Olivia Burke.

The prayers and thoughts of the country also went out to those who were injured – some of them seriously – when the fourth floor balcony of the apartment suddenly collapsed.

Given the concentration of loss within such a small geographical area of South Dublin, the shockwaves from the events in America reverberated through the worlds of sport and academia.

UCD President Andrew Deeks was among those to express his heartbreak at the news of loss of life and injury in Berkeley.

“It is with deepest sadness that I speak of the tragic accident involving UCD students and their friends in San Francisco,

? he wrote on the university’s website.

“On behalf of the entire university community, I wish to extend our condolences to the families and friends of those who died and to those who were injured. We cannot comprehend the desperate shock and grief they are feeling and we are heartbroken at their suffering and loss.

?

He added:

“Our students, like thousands of others across Ireland, head to the US each summer on J1 visas to enjoy the experience. It is heartbreaking to imagine that such a tragedy would strike these wonderful students when their lives are opening up to discover the world.

?

St Mary’s College also issued a statement on their website.

“The thoughts and prayers of everybody in the St Mary’s community are with the families of Niccolai and Eoghan, and the other Irish youngsters who died or were injured in the heartbreaking accident in the United States on Tuesday,

? it read.

“We also pray particularly for those being treated in hospital, and their families.

?

On its website, Loreto Foxrock said they were

“deeply saddened and shocked

? by the tragedy.

The school stated:

“We offer our deepest sympathies to the families of Olivia and Eimear and to the families of the other students who died. Please keep in your thoughts and prayers all those who have been injured and affected by this terrible tragedy.

?

St Andrew’s College was also directly impacted by the tragedy. Its website expressed condolences to all the families of those involved in the accident.

It read:

“Our sincerest sympathies go particularly to the families of three of the victims: Lorcán Miller, who was a past pupil of the college; Olivia Burke, a niece of board member Trish Wallace; and Ashley Donohue, a cousin of Olivia.

?

In a statement, Dr Annie Doona, President Dun Laoghaire IADT, said:

“Our deepest sympathies go to the Irish students who have been killed in Berkeley this morning as well as to their families and friends.

“Our thoughts are also with the other students who have been injured as well as to others who have been affected by this tragedy, along with their families and friends.

?

President of DIT, Professor Brian Norton, said:

“On behalf of every student and staff member in DIT, we extend our deepest sympathy to the Culligan family and to all of Eoghan’s friends, classmates and my colleagues in DIT.

?

The cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Cllr Barry Saul, opened a book of condolences in County Hall last Wednesday.

Most of the schools and colleges directly affected by the tragedy also allowed people to express their sympathies for the victims on their websites.

The staff of Southside People would also like to send their deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who died in Berkeley last week. Our thoughts are also with those who were injured.