Taoiseach condemns ‘terrible tragedy’

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern led a chorus of support and expressed condolences on behalf of the Irish people yesterday.

Speaking shortly after his private audience with Pope Benedict XVI, he expressed his “huge sorrow, sympathy and regret at the terrible atrocity that had just happened in London”.

In a strong and impassioned condemnation of the “terrible tragedy”, Mr Ahern said: “What does all this solve by killing innocent people, probably on holidays, or people going shopping in London for the day? What cause does that promote? Will this make the G8 leaders make a different decision than they did? This is terrorism and violence perpetrated against ordinary people, as it always is.”

He said his thoughts and prayers were with his colleagues in London and that he would send a message to British prime minister Tony Blair as soon as he could.

Condemnation of the attacks came swiftly from political and community leaders on both side of the border. In a message of sympathy to Queen Elizabeth II, President Mary McAleese expressed shock and horror at the scale of the attacks.

“Today, which should have been a day of righteous celebration for Londoners having successfully won the bid for the 2012 Olympic Games has been turned into a day of cruel and vicious waste of innocent human life,” she said.

Tánaiste Mary Harney expressed her horror and revulsion at the series of barbaric attacks. “Any civilised person would rightly condemn such a callous attempt to destroy innocent human life,” she said.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams also condemned the bomb attacks in London and sent a message of sympathy and solidarity to Tony Blair and Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. “On behalf of Sinn Féin, I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and the families of those killed and injured and to the people of London.”

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny felt the “timing of this outrage is clearly designed to undermine and distract from the efforts of world leaders of the G8 as they focus on tackling the issue of global poverty”.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte pointed out that the large number of Irish people living in the British capital has resulted in a close affinity with London. “All our thoughts will be with those who have been injured or who have lost relatives in these attacks.”

Senior Islamic leaders in Ireland also condemned the attacks. “The killing of innocent and the devastation caused as a result of the attack to families and structures is totally in contradiction to Islamic teaching,” said Dr Nooh Al Kaddo, executive director of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland based in Dublin.

Extending the condolences of the community to the families of those who were killed, and to those who were injured, Dr Al Kaddo called on world leaders to unite and “stand in unity, hand in hand, against terrorism whether organised terrorism, or that of a nation or individual”.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Wallace Browne said “we faced 30 years of terrorist attacks across Northern Ireland with thousands of people losing their lives. We can therefore empathise with the plight that the citizens of London now face. The values and principles at the core of UK society must never be eroded at the hands of fundamentalists.”

What they said

“Rejoice, Islamic nation. Rejoice, Arab world. The time has come for vengeance against the Zionist crusader government of Britain in response to the massacres Britain committed in Iraq and Afghanistan.” - The Secret Organisation of al-Qaida in Europe

“The Islamic Human Rights Commission is advising Muslims not to travel or go out unless necessary, and is particularly concerned that women should not go out alone in this climate.” - Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, appealed for calm and condemned the bombings.

“On behalf of Sinn Féin I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and the families of those killed and injured and to the people of London.” - Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams

“Spain, which has for years suffered the disgrace of terrorism, national and international, offers its unconditional help and support for Britain to help chase the criminals who perpetrated such a repugnant attack against a city which was celebrating its selection as host of the 2012 Olympic Games.” - Spanish government in a statement

“My thoughts and prayers are with the dead, the wounded and their families. On behalf of my brother bishops and myself I offer my condolences and prayers to all those affected.” - statement from Archbishop Seán Brady, Primate of All Ireland

“Today, which should have been a day of righteous celebration for Londoners, having successfully won the bid for the 2012 Olympics, has been turned into a day of cruel and vicious waste of innocent human life.” - President Mary McAleese

“What does all this solve by killing innocent people, probably on holidays? What cause does that promote? Will this make the G8 leaders make a different decision than they did?” - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern

“I wish to express my horror and revulsion at today’s series of barbaric attacks on the London public transport system. Any civilised person would rightly condemn such a callous attempt to destroy innocent human life.” - Tánaiste Mary Harney

“The timing of this outrage is designed to undermine and distract from the efforts of the leaders of the G8 as they focus on tackling the issue of global poverty. At a time when the peoples of the world were uniting to face one of the greatest challenges to our planet, these attacks are a challenge to that emerging unity of approach. They must not succeed in their goal.” - Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny

“These attacks will repel and horrify anyone with any shred of decency or humanity. With so many Irish people in London, there has always been a close affinity between the Irish people and the British capital and all our thoughts will be with those who have been injured or who have lost relatives.” - Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte.