The New York Times has apologised for using "insensitive language" in its news report on the Berkeley incident.
In a statement, the newspaper said the article, headlined 'Deaths of Irish Students in Berkeley Balcony Collapse Cast Pall on Program' was intended to explain why Irish students were in the US.
It said: "We understand and agree that some of the language in the piece could be interpreted as insensitive, particularly in such close proximity to this tragedy.
"It was never our intention to blame the victims and we apologize if the piece left that impression. We will continue to cover this story and report on the young people who lost their lives."
In a blog published today, the NYT's Public Editor Margaret Sullivan said her office had fielded hundreds of calls over the article, which was published online yesterday.
She said many of those who complained said the paper had engaged in "victim-blaming", while ignoring the real issue of possible structural defects in the building, which may have led to the balcony's collapse.
One of the reporters who contributed to the story said in hindsight he had the balance wrong and put too much emphasis on the negative aspects.
Adam Nagourney said he was "not looking to in any way appear to be blaming the victims" or causing pain for their families and friends, adding "I feel very distressed at having added to their anguish".
Irish Ambassador to the US Anne Anderson has written to the newspaper describing the language in the article as both "insensitive and inaccurate".
She said: "The implication of your article - that the behaviour of the students was in some way a factor in the collapse - has caused deep offence."
The Ambassador said it is wrong that the J1 visa programme is a "source of embarrassment" for Ireland, as stated in the article.
"On the contrary, we are fully supportive of this programme and we know that it brings enormous mutual benefit...Yes there have been isolated incidents of the type to which your article refers. But they are wholly unrepresentative...From all the feedback we receive, we know that the overwhelming majority of our J1 participants behave in a way that does Ireland proud".
Newsagent removes newspapers over front pages
A newsagent in Galway has removed copies of The Irish Daily Star and The Irish Examiner from shelves in protest over photographs printed on their front pages.
Both papers ran aerial shots of the scene in Berkeley California.
Paul O'Brien said it was the first time he had ever felt the need to take a publication off the shelves.
He said he felt that the photographs were insensitive and that the decision to publish them was in bad taste.
Mr O'Brien - who operates the family business on William Street - said he decided to withdraw the papers from sale after customers drew his attention to the images earlier today.
