It has been over a year since six Irish students lost their lives in the Berkeley balcony tragedy, and this week a survivor has made an emotional appeal in a bid to ensure no family suffers similar devastation.
A state committee is currently considering legislation that would require building companies to disclose private deals struck to settle faulty construction claims.
Showing her support for the passing of the Bill, survivor Aoife Beary made an impassioned and emotional speech to committee members this week.
“I miss my friends so much. I have known them since we started school together at four years of age…We had grown up together. And now my birthday will always be their anniversary,” she said.
Aoife herself suffered serious injuries as a result of the balcony collapse, to her brain, liver, kidney and spleen. She also underwent open heart surgery and suffered broken limbs.
“My life has changed forever. I cannot believe you are even debating this Bill. People died,” she said.
The accident claimed the lives of Lorcán Miller, Eimear Walsh, Eoghan Culligan, Olivia Burke, Niccolai Schuster and Ashley Donohoe.
