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Berkeley balcony collapse: Joint funeral for cousins Olivia Burke and Ashley Donohoe | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The families of two cousins who died in a balcony collapse in California that killed six students have said they will fight to prevent another such tragedy. | |
A joint funeral mass was held in Sonoma for Olivia Burke, 21, from Dublin, and Irish-US citizen Ashley Donohoe, 22. | |
Afterwards, their families issued a statement through a friend. | |
He said: "We will fight to make changes so that no family will ever have to go through what we have gone through in the last five days." | |
He added: "Our daughters and the rest of these students were responsible young adults that were celebrating their friend's 21st birthday in what they felt was a safe environment. | |
"Unfortunately that turned tragic through no fault of their own." | |
Mourners at the funeral heard how the two cousins were kind, fun-loving young women who shared a close bond. | |
Monsignor Daniel Whelton said that that growing up, Olivia and Ashley would dress alike to try to fool their parents into thinking they were twins. | |
The bodies of four other Irish students are due to arrive at Dublin Airport on Sunday morning. | |
On Friday night the relatives of Lorcán Miller, Eimear Walsh, Eoghan Culligan, and Niccolai (Nick) Schuster received their bodies for the first time at a joint service in St Columba's Church in Oakland, California. | On Friday night the relatives of Lorcán Miller, Eimear Walsh, Eoghan Culligan, and Niccolai (Nick) Schuster received their bodies for the first time at a joint service in St Columba's Church in Oakland, California. |
Their bodies lay in repose in open caskets until around 22:00 local time. | Their bodies lay in repose in open caskets until around 22:00 local time. |
Ms Burke's remains will be flown home to Dublin on Sunday evening. | |
The apartment balcony collapsed during a 21st birthday party in the early hours of Tuesday in the city of Berkeley. | |
Five of the six people who died were Irish students based in the US as part of a work exchange programme. | Five of the six people who died were Irish students based in the US as part of a work exchange programme. |
'Conditions improved' | 'Conditions improved' |
Meanwhile, the conditions of two of the people who were injured in the Berkeley balcony collapse have improved. | Meanwhile, the conditions of two of the people who were injured in the Berkeley balcony collapse have improved. |
Conor Flynn and Jack Halpin are being cared for at the John Muir Medical Centre in Walnut Creek. | Conor Flynn and Jack Halpin are being cared for at the John Muir Medical Centre in Walnut Creek. |
Hospital pastor Fr Michael Gillen described the pair as inspirational and said they should make a full recovery. | Hospital pastor Fr Michael Gillen described the pair as inspirational and said they should make a full recovery. |
Investigations continue into why the fourth-floor balcony collapsed. | Investigations continue into why the fourth-floor balcony collapsed. |
Engineers say water damage may have caused the structure to give way. | Engineers say water damage may have caused the structure to give way. |
Authorities said 13 people were on the balcony when it collapsed. | Authorities said 13 people were on the balcony when it collapsed. |
A book of condolence is to be opened at Belfast City Hall on Monday. | A book of condolence is to be opened at Belfast City Hall on Monday. |