Ron Clifford, who survived the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, in which his sister and niece died, passed away suddenly in Santa Fe, New Mexico last night.
Originally from Ballintemple, Mr Clifford lived in New Jersey and was, together with his wife, on his way to spend the Christmas holidays in Los Angeles.
Mr Clifford was on the ground floor of the World Trade Center when the first of the 9/11 attacks occurred there. He survived uninjured.
However, his 44-year old sister Ruth Clifford McCourt and her four-year old daughter Juliana died on United Airlines Flight 175 which was flown into the south tower of the World Trade Center .
Tragically, Juliana’s godmother, Paige Farley Hackel, was on the second aircraft – American Airlines Flight 11 – which smashed into the other tower.
Mr Clifford campaigned for many years to have those who masterminded the terrorist attacks brought to justice. In 2021 hee told RTÉ News: “The justice system here has just prevented it and it’s just going around in a circle for years and years.
“I hope in our lifetime we will get our day in court.”
Describing how his family coped with their tragic losses, he continued: “The world has changed. The catastrophic event that we as a family have gone through – I think we have lived our lives since. I think that is the positivity that we give as a family.”
Irish Examiner USA Publisher Paddy McCarthy told us: “I was texting with Ron yesterday afternoon while he was in Santa Fe, New Mexico and he told me he was going to be heading to Los Angeles for the holidays. That was our last contact until I was told this morning of his passing. He was a very good friend of mine, may he rest in peace.”