Tributes paid to Berkeley balcony collapse victims on 10th anniversary

Today marks 10 years since the harrowing Berkeley balcony collapse

Six young students were killed in the tragic balcony collapse on June 16th, 2015.

Five Irish J-1 students – Eimear Walsh (21), Lorcán Miller (21), Niccolai Schuster (21), Eoghan Culligan (21), Olivia Burke (21), and one Irish American citizen, Ashley Donohoe (22), were killed in the 2015 collapse.

Aoife Beary survived the tragedy but sadly passed away on New Year’s Day, 2022, after suffering a stroke.

Clodagh Cogley, Sean Fahey, Conor Flynn, Jack Halpin, Niall Murray, and Hannah Waters were all seriously injured in the collapse.

The J-1 students were celebrating a 21st birthday party when the fifth-floor balcony they were standing on collapsed.

Leading the tributes, the Consulate General of Ireland in San Francisco shared:

"Today we remember the seven young people who lost their lives in the tragic balcony collapse in Berkeley, California, ten years ago, as well as those who were injured. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha."

Another wrote, "10 years. I remember the day and the news broke. I'm sure every day has been so difficult for family and loved ones. It's so cruel and heartbreaking."

The U.S Embassy Dublin stated:

"Today, we remember the six young lives tragically lost in the Berkeley balcony collapse on this day in 2015. Students full of promise, joy, and dreams — gone too soon. Our hearts are with their families and friends. May their memory forever shine."

Today, we remember the victims and keep the survivors and their loved ones in our thoughts.

No criminal charges were made over the balcony collapse, but the families sued both those involved in the management of the building, as well as the construction team involved.

A partial settlement of €18 million was reached in 2017.