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Riverdance star on lost airliner Riverdance star on lost airliner
(10 minutes later)
A well-known Irish dancer from County Down who performed with Riverdance was among 228 people onboard the Air France airliner which disappeared on Monday.A well-known Irish dancer from County Down who performed with Riverdance was among 228 people onboard the Air France airliner which disappeared on Monday.
Eithne Walls, in her late 20s, from Ballygowan, worked as a doctor in Dublin.Eithne Walls, in her late 20s, from Ballygowan, worked as a doctor in Dublin.
She had also been a professional dancer and spent a year with Riverdance on Broadway, New York, before studying medicine at Trinity College, Dublin. She was a talented dancer and spent a year with Riverdance on Broadway, New York, before studying medicine at Trinity College, Dublin.
She had travelled to Brazil with two other friends, both doctors. She was travelling home from holiday with two other friends, both doctors.
Aisling Butler, of Roscrea, Co Tipperary, and Jane Deasy of Dublin are also missing on the flight from Rio to Paris. Aisling Butler, from Roscrea, County Tipperary, and Jane Deasy from Dublin are also missing on the flight from Rio to Paris.
The plane vanished after flying into turbulence. The friends had graduated together from Trinity College, Dublin, two years ago.
Aisling's father, John, said he could not describe his family's grief.
"We know Aisling is gone, we are sure of that," he said.
"It is just about trying to live now, I have to live for my wife and my only other daughter, Lorna."
Mr Butler said his daughter, who celebrated her 26th birthday just over two weeks ago, lived for her job as a young doctor but also enjoyed life to the full.
Irish President Mary McAleese said she was thinking about the families of the missing passengers.
Prayers
"My thoughts and prayers, and the thoughts of everyone, this evening are with the Irish families and the families of everyone on board at this very difficult time," she said.
The plane vanished over the Atlantic after flying into turbulence en route from Brazil to Paris.
The Airbus sent an automatic message at 0214 GMT on Monday, four hours after leaving Rio de Janeiro, reporting a short circuit. It is believed it may have suffered lightning damage.The Airbus sent an automatic message at 0214 GMT on Monday, four hours after leaving Rio de Janeiro, reporting a short circuit. It is believed it may have suffered lightning damage.
It had 216 passengers and 12 crew on board, including three pilots. The passengers included one infant, seven children, 82 women and 126 men.It had 216 passengers and 12 crew on board, including three pilots. The passengers included one infant, seven children, 82 women and 126 men.
Five of the missing passengers are from Britain.Five of the missing passengers are from Britain.
The plane was well over the ocean when it was lost, making the search by Brazilian and French planes more difficult.The plane was well over the ocean when it was lost, making the search by Brazilian and French planes more difficult.
Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris has set up a crisis centre.Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris has set up a crisis centre.
On Monday night, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said there was a "very small" chance of finding survivors.On Monday night, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said there was a "very small" chance of finding survivors.