Kathryn Thomas expressed her deep sorrow over the Berkeley tragedy, which claimed the lives of six Irish students this week. Writing in her column for The Irish Daily Star, the star, who spent much of the 20s traveling around the globe because of her career, is adamant that the J1 is and should be an exciting “right of passage” for any young Irish person, but “in Berkeley, that dream turned into a nightmare for the families and friends of those tragic young people killed and maimed in the balcony collapse.”
Kathryn also speaks about her 22-year-old brother currently being in California on his own J1 this summer, but in a different location to where the devastating incident took place.
“It seems too trivial to call it an awful accident…or a cruel twist of fate,” she commented.
“You expect to come home with memories, new ambitions and a bit more knowledge about yourself and the world. You most certainly do not expect to come home in a coffin. May the six victims rest in peace.”
Other Irish stars also gave their condolences to the tragic Irish students and their loved ones. Models Holly Carpenter & Nadia Forde and presenter Angela Scanlon shared an image on social media of the word ‘Berkeley’ with a heart encircling it. Holly captioned her post: “Thoughts and prayers are with the friends & families of the 6 young J1 students at this time.”
