Irishman dies in NYC after fall

“They are so devastated by the whole experience. They are just beyond words really.”

Although medical examinations have ruled out the possibility of foul play, officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Galway man’s death.

Executive director of the Aisling Irish Community Center Orla Doherty said she couldn’t stress enough to the students and young people who come to New York and the U.S. for the summer that looking out for each other is a must.

“Most people come out here with friends, so we would urge them to look out for each other,” said Doherty.

“While enjoying their summer here in New York, we would ask everybody to act responsibly rather than recklessly, particularly where alcohol and/or drugs are concerned given that they are quite often cited as a factor in many fatalities. People can have fun without putting their lives or the lives of their friends at risk.”

Doherty said that each year hundreds of young people arrive in New York for the summer months hoping to have a happy and memorable experience.

“At the same time, we dread the possibility that one of these young men and women will never again see their mom or dad or siblings back in Ireland, having lost their lives in a fatal accident or an unexpected death. It is in fact a probability rather than a possibly going by the past few years,” she said, citing the fact that each year one or more students lose their life in an accident, most of which occur when alcohol is consumed.

Doherty urges young people to be there for each other.

“If somebody is concerned about a friend's behavior or recent change in mood, they should not keep this to themselves,” she said.

“They should really see it as a duty of care to inform a member of their family if something is not quite right.”

Stating that safety in number is essential, Doherty said
 “While it's easy to lose track of your friends on a night out in a crowded pub or club, we would plead with people not to travel home alone at the end of the night, even if it is only a 10 minute walk to their accommodation. We don't want any parent to get a phone call from the U.S. to say their son or daughter has died.”

Forde will be buried on Thursday at the New Cemetery in Athenry. He is survived by his parents, Michael and Kathleen, his older brother Tom and his younger sister Claire.

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Nster.com