Berkeley unveils memorial plaque to remember Irish students who died in balcony collapse

This weekend, a plaque was erected in Berkeley, California, to honour the six Irish students who died in a tragic balcony collapse.

On June 16, 2015, Six students, Olivia Burke, Eoghan Culligan, Ashley Donohoe, Lorcán Miller, Niccolai Schuster and Eimear Walsh lost their lives when the balcony of an apartment they were partying in, collapsed in the early hours of the morning. And yesterday, to commemorate the students who lost their lives, Ireland's Ambassador to the United States, Dan Mulhall, and the Mayor of the City of Berkeley, Jesse Arreguin unveiled a plaque in the university town. In attendance, were family members of those who lost their lives, who travelled over from Ireland for the ceremony.

Amb @DanMulhall:”The Berkeley balcony collapse of June 2015 was a terrible tragedy and one which had an enormous effect on Ireland. The depth of grief, shock and sorrow was immense – six young lives so tragically and prematurely ended and serious injury inflicted on so many.” 1/2 pic.twitter.com/LBvXngomlV

— Embassy of Ireland USA (@IrelandEmbUSA) July 21, 2018

According to the Irish Times, Mayor of Berkeley Jesse Arreguin said the plaque will serve “as a permanent reminder to those we lost and is also a testament to our friendship with the people of Ireland”.

“The balcony collapse was one of Berkeley’s darkest days, but in the aftermath, it has brought us closer together,” he said.

Honoured to be part of plaque unveiling for the Berkeley balcony collapse victims. The continued solidarity of this community is inspiring pic.twitter.com/ew0vkXDVEJ

— Irish Consulate W US (@IrelandSanFran) July 21, 2018

Investigators in California concluded that the balcony collapse was due to materials in the balcony which were not waterproof and therefore the structure gave way. Family members of the deceased also reached settlements with the property owners last year.