Colleges offering grief-stricken students counselling
COLLEGES where the tragic J1 students were studying are offering counselling and chaplaincy services, and will be holding vigils and Masses in the coming days to honour those killed.
At UCD, where three of the dead students – Lorcán Miller, Eimear Walsh and Niccolai Schuster – studied, a book of condolences was opened online and in the college.
It already had thousands of signatures by last night.
“We cannot comprehend the desperate shock and grief they are feeling and we are heartbroken at their suffering and loss,” UCD President Andrew Deeks said.
Counselling services are available to students while a senior UCD chaplain was also dispatched to San Francisco. A vigil is expected to be staged on the campus on Friday.
DIT, where Eoghan Culligan studied, has also opened a book of condolences at its Aungier Street campus. Emails were issued to students advising that support services remain available. A service of reflection will take place at 4pm today at Aungier Street for students and staff.
At the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) in Dún Laoghaire, where victim Olivia Burke had just completed her third year of the Entrepreneur- ship and Management business degree course, President Dr Annie Doona said they have also arranged counselling for students.
Dr Jim Browne, President of the National University of Ireland, Galway, said the tragic incident has “shocked the university communities across Ireland”.
Flags were flown at half mast there yesterday in honour of the victims. It has also opened a book of condolences.