Irish victims of 9/11. The Ashes of 9/11 RTE Player

Sceala Philosopher Location: Navan

9/11 was different, never before had so people witnessed such a loss of life in a single event live.
It was shocking and so very sad.
The inhumanity is too evil to take in and accept, but we need to remember so it can be prevented from ever happening again.

Irish people who were affected by the September 11, 2001 terror attacks share their recollections of the day's tragic events, and reveal how their lives were changed.
THE ASHES OF 9/11
September 07 2011

September 11, 2001, a day that changed the world. The day two hijacked commercial jets reduced the Twin Towers of New York City’s World Trade Centre to rubble and brought a nation to its knees.

Almost three thousand lost their lives in the Al Queda orchestrated carnage, a third of which it is estimated were of Irish descent. RTE’s compelling Documentary ‘The Ashes of 9/11’ tells the story of 9/11 as seen through the Irish eyes that bore witness to the catastrophe first hand: the rescue workers, the journalists and the families who lost a loved one.

Ron Clifford, from Cork, is one such eye-witness. He was in the South Tower lobby of the Trade Centre’s Marriott Hotel when the first plane hit the North Tower. Within minutes a woman blazing from the spill of jet fuel was running towards him. As Ron helped Jennianne Maffeo, a second plane hit the south tower high above them. Little did Ron know that his much loved sister, Ruth and her four year old daughter Julianna, were passengers on the hijacked jet.

Martin Coughlan, a carpenter from Cappawhite, Tipperary, was refurbishing offices above the 90th floor of the South Tower when the first plane hit. He left a message on his home phone telling his wife Catherine that he was leaving the building and would see them later that day. But soon afterwards, some of the South Tower workers were told they were out of danger and could resume duties. Martin’s last message was recorded after the second jet hit, trapping Martin in the floors above.

On 9/11, Rescue Fireman, Sean Cummins from Finglas in Dublin, swapped two twelve hour shifts with two colleagues so he could drop his mother to the airport for her Aer Lingus flight home. He could see the first tower burning from his rooftop and immediately headed into Manhattan. He and colleagues entered burning debris to pull out the trapped and injured. On the day Sean lost 87 colleagues-including the two men he swapped shifts with. To help ease the guilt he joined the US Army Medical Corps during the war in Iraq.

Anthony Curtin from Listowel in Kerry was an NYPD homicide detective on September 11th. Like many police, fire and rescue colleagues, he drove towards Ground Zero after the towers were hit. He spent weeks digging through apocalyptic rubble and months assessing crime scene debris. During that time he breathed toxic dust and fumes and still doesn’t know the health legacy.

And journalists Niall O’Dowd and Conor O’Clery, who both reported from Manhattan on 9/11, had the job of melding personal experience with the day’s big story. In ‘The Ashes of 9/11’, they and the other Irish interviewees reflect on how the world has changed in the decade since.

Written, Produced and Directed by Anne Roper ‘The Ashes of 911’ was Edited by Ray Roantree and completed post production here at Screen Scene. Simon Thornton was Online Editor, Gary Curran provided the grade and Mark Fitzpatrick handled the Sound Mix.

Watch ‘The Ashes of 9/11 RTE Player
Watch ‘The Ashes of 9/11’ this Sunday at 9.30pm, RTE1
Please know that the Irish in Ireland care for America, it is the official second home of the Irish. Americans will always be made welcome in Ireland by all good Irish people.
We pray for all the victims of 9/11 and their families and friends. We pray for America to lead the world to a better place, show us the courage and strength defined in the liberty of America.

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Irish victims of 9/11. The Ashes of 9/11 RTE Player