University in shock over deaths of women

A FLAG flew at half-mast at NUI Galway and several hundred students sought solace in the university chapel as word of the deaths of four young women and the serious injury of a fifth spread across the campus yesterday.

The chapel was kept open late last night, with counselling and food provided by the college.

“I’ve been 30 years here and I never remember anything quite like this,” Mary O’Riordan, vice-president of NUIG said.

“The untimely death of our students has shocked the university community and we wish to extend our deepest sympathies to all of their families, classmates and friends at this time,” the college said.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the fifth student involved, who is currently critically ill.”

Last night, Michelle O’Donnell (21) was transferred from Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and her condition continued to be “critical”.

Her father John, who is coxswain of the Aran Islands lifeboat, and mother Nora had been with her all day at her bedside in Castlebar, having travelled in from Inis Mór in stormy weather.

All five students returning from Sligo to Galway on the N17 had been firm friends, sharing a love of the Irish language as part of their arts degree studies. Michelle is a third-year student in Irish and translation studies.

Sarah Byrne (20), from Headford, Co Galway, was a third-year Irish and geography student; Theresa Molloy (19), from Leitir Móir, Co Galway, was also a third-year student of Irish and translation studies, as was classmate Marie Stephanie Ní Conghaíle (19), from Baile na hAbhann, Co Galway.

Sorcha Rose McLoughlin (19), from Mulgannon, Co Wexford, was a second-year student of geography and applied maths and science, and was taking also the part-time Irish diploma.

NUIG said it wished to “express its appreciation for the many messages of sympathy from other institutions, members of the public and in particular the heartfelt message of sympathy received from President Mary McAleese.”

Labour Party president Michael D Higgins, fellow Galway West TD Frank Fahey of Fianna Fáil and mayor of Co Galway Tom McHugh of Fine Gael all expressed their sympathies to the families.