It has emerged today that the builders of the Berkeley building where a balcony collapsed, sending six young Irish students to their deaths and seriously injuring seven others, had last year paid a $3m settlement due to claims of poor workmanship in another apartment complex.
Such news comes after the revelation that the balconies in the Berkeley building were originally intended as a “decorative features” only.
The investigation into the deadly incident is now focused on the wooden support beams that held the balcony. It is believed that the wood used had not been properly sealed, leading to possible moisture damage and poor structural integrity.
Mayor of Berkeley Tom Bates said yesterday that this is the most likely cause of the tragedy.
The six victims plunged to their deaths from the fourth floor apartment where a 21st birthday was taking place. They were named as Olivia Burke (21), Eoghan Culligan (21), Niccolai (Nick) Schuster (21), Lorcán Miller (21), Eimear Walsh (21), and Ashley Donohoe (22).