Up to 20 Irish may have died in US attacks

One week after the World Trade Center attacks, the final number of Irish deaths is still unknown, according to the Department…

One week after the World Trade Center attacks, the final number of Irish deaths is still unknown, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Although the official number of Irish people killed in last Tuesday’s event is four, the final figure is expected to be in the "low twenties" according to the Department.

"If you look to the US there are no definitive figures, so we are going to have to wait before we have any specifics, but I can say that we think the final figure could be in the low twenties," said a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman.

Confirmed Irish people fatalities include Ms Ruth Clifford McCourt (44) and her daughter Juliana (4) from Cork and Mr Paddy Currivan (52) from Dublin.

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They were passengers on the United Airlines flights that struck the towers last Tuesday morning. New York-born Franciscan priest Fr Mychal Judge is also listed among the Irish dead.

The Irish on the missing list include stockbroker Ms Ann Marie McHugh (35) from Tuam, Co Galway; construction workers Mr Kieran Gorman (35) from Carrowcurragh, Lavagh, Co Sligo; Mr Martin Coughlan (53) from Cappawhite, Tipperary; and Mr Seán Canavan (39).

The final lists of firefighters and police officers - traditional Irish professions in the city - killed are expected to include some Irish citizens.

A final definitive list of the Irish killed in New York is not expected for a number of weeks.