Former President, Mary McAleese has written to the New York Times condemning their coverage of the Berkeley tragedy saying the paper “should be hanging it’s head in shame”. 
Speaking on RTE’s ‘Today with Sean O’Rourke’ Ms McAleese described the article in question as “utterly offensive”, while revealing that she herself, was a J1 student in the early 1970’s.
“[This is] journalism at the absolute worst end of the spectrum, indescribably constructed in every way,” she said.
The article in the New York Times was first published Tuesday evening, as people around the world were still coming to terms with the horrific news from that day.
The article referred to the J1 programme as “an embarrassment for Ireland”.
The paper also used the tragedy as an opportunity to refer to two incidents of Irish students damaging property in California in the past.
Referring to “a loud party” that was taking place in the apartment, the article seemed to suggest that the students themselves were to blame for their tragic incident, something that the paper’s spokeswoman, Eileen Murphy, apologised for after being blasted for the comments worldwide.
“It was never the paper’s intention to blame the victims. We apologize if the piece left that impression.”
Minister of State for Equality, Aodhán Ó’Ríordáin, added his voice to the criticism of the paper and it’s supposed apology.
Taking to his Twitter account the Minister said, “@nytimes Your attempt at an apology for your offensive #Berkeley article is pathetic. It’s clearly futile appealing to your better nature.”
While the uproar at the article continues, the New York Times has said that it will not be removing it from their website.