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By Ciaran Byrne, Conor Kane and Allison Bray

Tuesday June 02 2009

THEY met at college and were conferred together.

Eighteen months later, they holidayed together in Brazil, taking time to visit other friends.

On June 15, 2007, Jane Deasy, Aisling Butler and Eithne Walls were conferred at Trinity College. Their achievement was officially recorded by the Medical Council on July 1 last year. "Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery".

Ms Walls had a colourful past. Aged in her late 20s, she was a former Irish dancing star and member of the 'Riverdance' troupe. Originally from Belfast she had lived in Waterford and worked in Dublin.

Julian Erskine, executive producer of 'Rive...

more:

By Ciaran Byrne, Conor Kane and Allison Bray

Tuesday June 02 2009

THEY met at college and were conferred together.

Eighteen months later, they holidayed together in Brazil, taking time to visit other friends.

On June 15, 2007, Jane Deasy, Aisling Butler and Eithne Walls were conferred at Trinity College. Their achievement was officially recorded by the Medical Council on July 1 last year. "Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery".

Ms Walls had a colourful past. Aged in her late 20s, she was a former Irish dancing star and member of the 'Riverdance' troupe. Originally from Belfast she had lived in Waterford and worked in Dublin.

Julian Erskine, executive producer of 'Riverdance', last night described Ms Walls as a longstanding member of the dance troupe who was well-known and liked by the cast.

"They're all devastated. She was a very popular and talented member of the troupe," he told the Irish Independent.

Ms Walls remained part of the troupe's "flying squad" whilst at university and returned to the troupe as a full-time cast member in 2004 for its summer run at the Gaiety Theatre.

She was also among the 'Riverdance' cast that performed at the opening ceremonies for the 2003 Special Olympics in Dublin.

After travelling from Brazil to Paris with a Welsh companion, Ms Walls, Ms Deasy and Ms Butler were due to make an onward connection yesterday on an Air France flight to Dublin. Ms Butler (22) was the daughter of John and Evelyn Butler from Ballinakill, outside Roscrea in north Tipperary.

Her father, John, is a well-known retired garda who now runs the successful Adare Transport company from the family home near Roscrea.

The couple have one other daughter, Lorna. A past pupil of Colaiste Pobal in Roscrea, Aisling went on to study medicine and was workingin Tallaght Hospital.

"This is an awful tragedy," said long standing family friend Denis Ryan last night.

- Ciaran Byrne, Conor Kane and Allison Bray