Aoife Beary did not let Berkeley tragedy ‘define’ life, funeral told

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Aoife Beary, one of the survivors of the 2015 Berkeley balcony collapse, did not let that tragedy “define” her life, her funeral heard. The funeral on Friday, which was attended by a representative of the Irish President Michael D Higgins as well as the chaplain of University College Dublin heard how Ms Beary overcame the “obstacles” life put in her way. “A loving, loyal, faithful young woman who had the capacity to nurture true friendship.” Fr Dunne said the “ripples” from the death of Ms Beary had been felt across the country and beyond. “Aoife’s lockdown challenge was not baking banana bread, but to become fluent in Spanish,” Ms Kennon told mourners.