'A slow loss of hope' - Irish impacted by 9/11 remembered

Twenty-five years ago, Ireland felt the ripples of the September 11th terrorist attacks that shook the world. Of the nearly 3,000 lives lost, seven were of Irish origin and at least 18 had connections to Ireland. This tragic event left a deep impact on communities across the Atlantic. This weekend, Ireland will hold commemorative events to remember those of Irish heritage who perished and honor the courage of those who responded to the crisis.

For the McHugh family from Galway, September 11th, 2001, is a day etched in their memory. Anne-Marie McHugh, born in America but raised in Tuam, worked at Euro Brokers on the 84th floor of the South Tower. When pictures of the attack flooded the news, her sister Maura received a distressed call from home, fearing the worst. Anne had survived the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing while working for Cantor Fitzgerald in the North Tower.

With no way to contact her, Maura and her family waited anxiously for news from New York, experiencing a slow loss of hope as Anne's body was never recovered from Ground Zero.