21-year-old Olivia Burke’s remains returned on an Aer Lingus flight from San Francisco this morning.
It comes after a joint service for Olivia and her cousin Ashley in the US over the weekend – and as the families of all six victims prepare to lay their loved ones to rest.
Olivia Burke and Ashley Donohoe were described as “twins” at their joint funeral over the weekend – who were together in life and in death.
The Burke and Donohoe families travelled back to Ireland together this morning accompanying the body of 21-year-old Olivia – the fifth and final Irish victim of the Berkeley tragedy to be repatriated.
Their flight arrived from San Francisco just after 11 this morning – and were met by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy – before the her hearse was escorted by the Gardaí.
The remains of the four other Irish victims – Eimear Walsh, Lorcán Miller, Niccolai Schuster and Eoghan Culligan – arrived home yesterday.
The first funerals – those of Eimear Walsh and Eoghan Culligan will take place tomorrow – in Foxrock and Rathfarnham respectively.
On Wednesday, Olivia Burke and Niccolai Schuster will be laid to rest – while details of Lorcán Miller’s funeral haven’t been released.
As the last of the victims and their families arrives home – seven Irish students injured remain in hospital in the US as the investigation continues.
The families of the six have asked for privacy to mourn their loves ones – and have thanked the public for their outpouring of support.
