The family of Dr Aisling Butler, one of the three Irish women who are believed to have died on the missing Air France flight 447, have paid tribute to a "caring and kind" woman who was a "devoted daughter and sister.
In a statement, the family said they were "devastated" at the news that the flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on which Dr Butler and her two friends were passengers had disappeared over the Atlantic yesterday.
"Aisling’s parents John and Evelyn and her sister Lorna are presently trying to absorb the shocking news and their thoughts are also with the families of other passengers and, in particular, her friends Jane Deasy and Eithne Walls."
"Aisling who was 26 only a few weeks ago had graduated from Trinity College, Dublin as a medical doctor in May, 2007.
"Her most recent position has been in the accident and emergency unit of Tallaght hospital having previously worked in both Limerick Regional and Portlaoise Hospitals. She was shortly to commence tenure in St James’s Hospital, Dublin."
The statement said Dr Butler was "very talented and a high achiever with a very promising career".
"She was also full of fun, caring and kind, a devoted daughter and sister.
"She had taken a holiday with three friends who had all qualified together and two of whom accompanied her on the flight."
The family said that at this statge, they were "merely trying to come to terms with this shocking news".
"They await any developments there may be in the search for the missing aircraft. They are not in a position to comment on the circumstances of the missing flight until more information becomes available."
The family said they were very grateful for the help and assistance of the Department of Foreign Affairs and they asked that their privacy be respected.