News

Manchester United pay tribute to Berkeley balcony collapse victims

Victim Niccolai Schuster (right) poses with Bastain Schweinsteiger (left), one of his favourite Manchester United players
Victim Niccolai Schuster (right) poses with Bastain Schweinsteiger (left), one of his favourite Manchester United players Victim Niccolai Schuster (right) poses with Bastain Schweinsteiger (left), one of his favourite Manchester United players

Manchester United players have paid a silent tribute to the Irish victims of the Berkeley balcony tragedy prior to their pre-season friendly against San Jose Earthquakes.

Players and fans held a minute’s silence in honour of Dublin college students Niccolai Schuster, Eoghan Culligan, Lorcan Murray, Eimear Walsh and Olivia Burke, as well as Olivia’s Irish-American cousin Ashley Donohoe.

The six victims lost their lives when the balcony of an apartment complex in California collapsed during a 21st birthday party last month. Seven other Irish J-1 students were seriously injured in the accident on June 16.

Last night’s tribute at the Avaya Stadium, around 80km from the scene of the accident, was organised by the friends and families of those who died.

One of the victims, Niccolai Schuster, was an avid supporter of Man Utd signing Bastain Schweinsteiger, who was playing his second game for the team.

Schweinsteiger had previously met his young fan and a photograph of the pair together was published by media around the world after the tragedy.

The German player also paid a personal tribute to Niccolai on his Facebook page and posed with a picture of the Dubliner before his team secured a 3-1 victory over the host side.

Separately, three of the female students critically hurt when the balcony collapsed remain in Californian hospitals.

It emerged this week that Aoife Beary from Blackrock, whose birthday the students were celebrating, continues to struggle to recognise her family.

Aoife is being treated at the Santa Clara Medical Center which specialises in rehabilitation. Her friends, Clodagh Cogley and Hannah Waters are also being cared for by staff at the facility.

Aoife’s cousin Eimear O’Doherty revealed that the student’s brain injury remained the “biggest concern” and that she faced a “long road”.

Clodagh Cogley (21) had previously written on Facebook that she was likely to require a wheelchair for the rest of her life after she broke her spinal cord.

Fundraising events are continuing to help raise the resources necessary to pay for the survivors’ costly treatment.

A tag rugby event takes place at the Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin on Saturday from 11am until 6pm to raise funds for Aoife Beary.

Ireland and Leinster back row Sean O’Brien will hand out prizes to the winning teams while former Munster captain Donal Canniffe and former Ireland Women captain Fiona Coghlan will play.

Teams can register or supporters can purchase tickets by visiting www.eventbrite.ie and searching for ‘Aoife Beary’.

Meanwhile, Mundy has joined the list of Irish bands and musicians playing at the Academy in Dublin tomorrow night in aid of the Berkeley survivors.

The gig, which is being organised by fellow students, will include Dublin Gospel Choir, The Fontaines, Jape, Daft Funk, Jessica Smith, the Knights of Leon and many more. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets are available from Ticketmaster.