NYT Article on Balcony Collapse Sparks Outrage in Ireland

Already reeling from the deaths of Irish students in the collapse of a balcony in Berkeley, residents of Ireland were outraged by a New York Times article that criticized Irish students.

While reporting on the collapse that killed six students and injured seven more as they gathered to celebrate a birthday, the paper said:

The work-visa program that allowed for the exchanges has in recent years become not just a source of aspiration, but also a source of embarrassment for Ireland, marked by a series of high-profile episodes involving drunken partying and the wrecking of apartments in places like San Francisco and Santa Barbara.

Reaction was swift, as politicians and average citizens took to social media to bash the article, calling it “crass,” “a disgrace,” and accusing the newspaper of “victim blaming.”

Related Coverage:

• Memorial Honors Victims of Berkeley Balcony Collapse
• Balcony Collapse: One American Among the Dead
• UPDATE: Sixth Death Confirmed, Seven Injured After Berkeley Balcony Collapses
• Ireland Shocked By ‘Appalling Tragedy’ in Berkeley

Irish Ambassador Anne Anderson wrote a letter to the editor stating, “we found some of the language in your article today both insensitive and inaccurate. No one yet knows what caused the collapse of the fourth-floor balcony; the matter is under urgent investigation by structural engineers. The implication of your article – that the behaviour of the students was in some way a factor in the collapse – has caused deep offence.”

Anderson closed by saying, “At this time of searing grief, the messages of condolence and offers of support which are flooding in to the Embassy and our Consulates are balm to the soul. They reflect far more accurately the feelings of the American people than does your article.”

The NYT stands by its article, but released a statement by vice-president of corporate communications Eileen Murphy acknowledging the outrage, “We understand and agree that some of the language in the piece could be interpreted as insensitive, particularly in such close proximity to this tragedy. It was never our intention to blame the victims and we apologize if the piece left that impression.”

The Irish Times has published an article profiling the victims.