US balcony collapse: Two victims laid to rest in Dublin

Funeral masses have taken place for two of the six students killed in a balcony collapse in Berkeley, California.

Eoghan Culligan and Eimear Walsh, both 21, were laid to rest after ceremonies in Dublin, at which hundreds of mourners gathered.

Olivia Burke and Niccolai Schuster, also both 21, are expected to be buried on Wednesday, while Lorcán Miller will be laid to rest on Thursday.

The sixth victim, Ashley Donohoe, 22, was buried in California on Saturday.

Eimear Walsh's funeral took place at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Foxrock, Dublin

The incident happened during a 21st birthday party in the early hours of 16 June.

Five of the six people who died were Irish students based in the US as part of a work exchange programme.

Mr Culligan's funeral took place at the Church of the Annunciation in Rathfarnham.

A guard of honour was formed outside the church by students from his former school and members of the Ballyboden GAA club, where Eoghan played gaelic football.

His mother Marie said he had been a light in their lives, and they had lost a beacon that would never shine again.

She added that her family's hearts were broken.

Eoghan's girlfriend, Sarah, said she had lost her soulmate and the future they would have shared together.

Ms Walsh's funeral took place at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Foxrock.

Her father, Jim, told the congregation his daughter was a beautiful person.

He said the family were proud of her and her achievements.

He added that she was fun loving, independent-minded, bright and confident and that "there was a huge void in their lives".

The victims: Top row, from left: Ashley Donohoe, Eimear Walsh, Olivia Burke. Bottom row, from left: Eoghan Culligan, Lorcan Miller and Niccolai Schuster

Meanwhile, one of the other Irish students injured when the balcony collapsed has been released from hospital in California.

Sean Fahey, from Rathmines in Dublin, is now due to travel home to Ireland.

Another six students injured in the tragedy remain in hospital.