Memorial Mass Tonight for Berkeley Balcony Collapse Victims

The Diocese of Oakland will hold a memorial mass tonight for the six people who were killed and seven who were injured in the collapse of a balcony at a Berkeley apartment complex early Tuesday morning. Bishop Michael C. Barber will be the presiding main celebrant at the mass, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the Light located at 2121 Harrison St. in Oakland.

The Rev. Aidan McAleenan will be the homilist at the mass. Diocese officials said McAleenan has been ministering at hospitals to the seven people who were injured. Ashley Donohoe, 22, of Rohnert Park, was the lone U.S. citizen of the six people killed in the balcony collapse at the Library Gardens apartment complex at 2020 Kittredge St. at 12:41 a.m. Tuesday.

Previous:

• Memorial Honors Victims of Berkeley Balcony Collapse
• Companies That Own, Manage Site of Berkeley Balcony Collapse Offer Condolences
• Balcony Collapse: One American Among the Dead
• NYT Article on Balcony Collapse Sparks Outrage in Ireland
• Ireland Shocked By ‘Appalling Tragedy’ in Berkeley
• UPDATE: Sixth Death Confirmed, Seven Injured After Berkeley Balcony Collapses

The other five who died were from Ireland and were in the U.S. on a J-1 visa, which allows visitors to participate in work and study-based exchange programs. The five victims from Ireland were identified by the Alameda County coroner’s bureau as Olivia Burke, 21, Eoghan Culligan, 21, Niccolai Schuster, 21, Lorcan Miller, 21, and Eimear Walsh, 21.

Diocese officials said they expect the local Irish community will have a large presence at the mass tonight.

By Bay City News

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