Posted 16 June 2015
UCD President Andrew Deeks expresses heartbreak at news of tragic student loss 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.
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.
We are opening an online book of condolences on our website where students and others are invited to share their sympathies. We have also made our counselling and student support services available to students in San Francisco and in Dublin.
We are deeply appreciative of the Consul General and his office in San Francisco and of the Department of Foreign Affairs for their prompt action in supporting the students at this time.
We have been in touch with colleagues in University of California Berkeley and they have offered to place their counselling services at the disposal of the Irish students in the area.
We know the local Irish community has been offering assistance and solidarity and we thank them for this.
We wish to recognise the Berkeley emergency and hospital services who have been extraordinary in the response and care they have given.
Our students, like thousands of others across Ireland, head to the US each summer on J1 visas to enjoy the experience. It is heart-breaking to imagine that such a tragedy would strike these wonderful students when their lives are opening up to discover the world.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamnacha.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)