PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has paid tribute and given thanks to the Berkeley community yesterday on behalf of the people of Ireland.
He was speaking at a special reception for first responders at a hotel in Berkeley near the apartment complex a balcony collapsed in June killing six young people and seriously injuring seven others.
The president said it was "heartbreaking" to hear of such tragedies as he made reference to the fatal fire in Carrickmines, Dublin when 10 people were killed.
President Higgins said he had wanted to undertake this journey ever since "those darkest of days last June" when he had "witnessed from afar" the "invaluable and unwavering support... in times of such anguish and pain".
He said that the tragedy had had an "enormous effect" on the Irish people, and he knew that it had affected the first responders too.
Consul General Philip Grant praised the J1 students whom he said were also the "first responders". The students were key in providing early care for their friends and helping with identifying the dead and injured.
He said he was immensely proud of the young Irish people.
George and Jackie Donohoe, whose daughter Ashley was killed in the accident, attended the special reception. The president paid tribute to the couple and to the solidarity and compassion that they had provided to the other families affected.
The president also praised and thanked all those who worked at the San Francisco consulate and all the volunteers and residents who provided assistance to the Berkeley students' families. He said they became "pillars of support" to the grieving visitors.
President Higgins said that the connections between Ireland and America were now stronger, saying "our bonds have been made deeper by shared pain and loss".
He then visited the nearby civic park to plant a tree with the Mayor of Berkeley Bates.
