No Criminal Charges To Be Brought In Berkeley Tragedy

No criminal charges will be brought over the Berkeley balcony collapse, it has emerged today. The parents of all students killed and injured in the California Berkeley collapse have filed legal actions against 37 defendants in relation to the case. Six students lost their lives and seven more were injured in the tragic accident which took place in June of this year. Dublin students Eoghan Culligan, Lorcán Miller, Niccolai Schuster, Eimear Walsh, Olivia Burke and Irish-American Ashley Donohoe tragically lost their lives in the June 16th balcony collapse. Aoife Beary, Clodagh Cogley, Sean Fahey, Conor Flynn, Jack Halpin, Niall Murray and Hannah Waters were injured in the fourth floor balcony fall. Their parents took cases against various property and construction firms associated with the apartment block involved, including its owner Blackrock and manager Greystar. The US district attorney, Nancy O’Malley, who investigated the tragedy has today confirmed that there  “there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal manslaughter charges against any one individual or company”. She said in a statement, "This is not a decision that I came to lightly." She continued: “It is the culmination of months of consultation with my team of attorneys. It follows extensive review of reports, both legal and factual, and numerous meetings with investigators and experts.”

“Not a day has passed since the tragedy of June 16 that I have not thought of the victims and their families.

“I am keenly aware of the devastation and injuries each victim and each family suffered and continues to confront. Friends, families and entire communities both in California and in Ireland have been affected by the horror of that day.”