A Cork woman and her daughter were the first Irish fatalities confirmed in yesterday's terrorist attacks in the US.
Ms Ruth Clifford, who emigrated from Cork 10 years ago, and her three-year old daughter Juliana, were aboard the United Airlines flight 175 from Boston to Los Angeles that was hijacked by terrorists yesterday morning.
The aircraft was then flown into the south tower of the World Trade Centre in New York.
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However, her brother who was in the building at the time survived, a relative said today.
"To watch two planes crash into the two buildings and then discovering afterwards that your sister and your niece was on the plane was absolutely horrific," their brother, Mr John Clifford, told RTE radio.
He said his brother Ronnie had come within an inch of losing his life.
"He went through the front door on the ground floor and the lady who was about three seconds in front of him was hit by a terrific fireball and she was horrifically injured.
"He got some sort of tablecloth to put over her and as he was doing that another explosion happened and a load of people just got him and this lady out. I think she subsequently died."
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it knew of no more Irish causalities and the Irish Consulate in the US is dealing with all inquiries about Irish people living in New York, Boston and Washington.
The Department has set up an Emergency Centre in Dublin handle calls to its freephone numbers from people concerned about Irish family and friends in the US.
It is manned by about 40 staff from the Department's Consulate Section who are used to dealing with people who have problems abroad and who would be experienced with people who may be quite upset, a spokeswoman said.
"We have had thousands of calls and naturally some people are quite upset," she said.
As the main concentration is on getting information to relatives, the spokeswoman said it would be helpful to know of Irish people who may have been working in the affected areas.
Earlier the Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern, said it was with "great sadness" that he learned of the deaths of the Ms Clifford and her daughter.
"My heartfelt sympathy goes out to their family, friends and relatives.
"Our thoughts are also with the thousands of relatives and friends of those people whether they are Irish, American or other nationalities, who are anxiously awaiting news of the fate of their loved ones."
- Department of Foreign Affairs freephones:
1800 715165
1800 715159
1800 401800
1800 385858
- British officials in New York believe that at least 15 Britons may be among the missing in the World Trade Centre. Consular officials are liaising with emergency services to try to establish identities.