Bastian Schweinsteiger meets family of Berkeley victim

Nick Schuster was a fan of Bayern Munich and particularly the German midfielder

Bastian Schweinsteiger with John Schuster and Alexei Schuster, father and brother of Berkeley victim Niccolai Schuster, ahead of Germany’s training session at The Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
Bastian Schweinsteiger with John Schuster and Alexei Schuster, father and brother of Berkeley victim Niccolai Schuster, ahead of Germany’s training session at The Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA

The family of Niccolai “Nick” Schuster, who was fatally injured in the Berkeley balcony collapse earlier this year, met footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger on Wednesday evening at the Aviva Stadium.

The UCD student was a big fan of the Manchester United midfielder, who is in Dublin for Germany’s clash with the Republic of Ireland on Thursday evening,

Mr Schuster’s Facebook account even featured a photograph of himself posing with the German international.

Peter Fitzpatrick, Alexei Schuster, John Schuster and Graziella Schuster meet German footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger during a German training session at the  Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Peter Fitzpatrick, Alexei Schuster, John Schuster and Graziella Schuster meet German footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger during a German training session at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

In June, in a Facebook post containing that same photo, Schweinsteiger said he felt “very sad” when he heard of the tragedy, and wished strength for Mr Schuster’s family and relatives at a “difficult” time.

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He also extended condolences to all involved in the incident, in which six Irish students died and a further seven were injured.

Mr Schuster (21) was a grand-nephew of writer and playwright John B. Keane, and is survived by parents John and Graziella along with younger brother Alexei.