Government offers help to Irish students

The Government today offered every assistance possible to the Irish students caught up in the Virginia Tech tragedy.

The Government today offered every assistance possible to the Irish students caught up in the Virginia Tech tragedy.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said officials from the Irish embassy in Washington were providing help for the three exchange students from University College Dublin.

The undergraduates, studying a year-long engineering programme, were unharmed when a gunman opened fire on the campus killing 32 people.

It is understood a civil engineering graduate was also at the institution and escaped without injury.

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"We have been in contact directly with the Irish students today offering whatever assistance is required and also have been talking to the UCD authorities in Dublin," said Mr Ahern.

"Any Irish at the campus appear to have escaped the tragedy unharmed but this is a difficult time for them and, in particular, their families back home.

"Whatever help we can provide we will. Our embassy will continue to monitor the situation and we are keeping in close contact with the US authorities."

The events began at 7.15am local time yesterday when two people were killed by the gunman, said to be a South Korean national who lived on the campus.

He later shot 30 staff and students dead, before killing himself. A total of 15 other people, some of whom jumped out of windows to escape, were also injured. UCD has said all its pupils in Virginia have chosen to stay in the US, but added the university would continue to support them through this difficult time.

An online book of condolences will also be opened by the institution, which will be sent to Virginia Tech.

"The appalling tragedy to hit Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has left us all horrified and saddened at the senseless loss of life and the devastating impact on the families of the victims," said UCD spokesman Dominic Martella.

"This university - staff and student body, sends a collective message of sympathy and solidarity to the students and staff at Virginia Tech.

"UCD currently has three undergraduate students on a year placement with Virginia Tech. "They are all safe and well. We have been in touch with the three students and their families. "Our primary concern is their safety and well-being."