Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Déanaim comhbhrón ó chroí le teaghlaigh na ndaoine a bhfuair bás agus atá gortaithe. Táimid uilig ar fud an oileáin seo agus ar fud na Stáit Aontaithe an-bhrónach. I extend on my behalf and that of Sinn Féin our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the six students who were killed and the seven others who were injured when a balcony collapsed in Berkeley. Five of the victims, Niccolai Schuster, Eoghan Culligan, Eimear Walsh, Olivia Burke and Lorcán Miller, all 21 years of age, had travelled to the United States on a J1 summer visa. The sixth victim, Irish-American Ashley Donohoe, was from Santa Rosa in the Bay Area of San Francisco. She and Olivia Burke were cousins. These students and their friends were in an apartment celebrating a 21st birthday. It is easy to imagine the energy, fun and excitement at that event before the disaster struck. The suddenness of the accident and the extent of the tragedy has shocked people in Ireland and the United States. It is a dreadful and stark reminder of the fragility and uncertainty of life, especially when the victims were so young, vibrant and full of possibility and potential. It is little wonder that there has been an outpouring of grief, sympathy and solidarity for all those affected. It is cliché to say it, but this tragedy is a parent's worst nightmare.

Some of the parents of the students who died or were injured arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday night. More may have arrived by now. I welcome and commend the efforts and support of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and his Department. I also commend the work of our consul general in San Francisco, Mr. Philip Grant, who, along with his staff, is providing support for the injured and the bereaved families. I wish to acknowledge the work of the Irish community and our diaspora in the Bay Area. It is an area with which I am familiar. I visited Berkeley some time ago. Our community has wrapped its arms around our young people there and their families. It is also important to acknowledge the support of the US ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Kevin O'Malley. I welcome very much and commend the Taoiseach's initiative in sending the Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora to represent us all.

Once again, I extend our condolences to the families and friends of all those who died and were injured. Thar ceann Shinn Féin, ba mhaith liom mo bhrón a léiriú d'achan duine atá bainteach leis an tragóid seo.

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