Cowen says 20 Irish people feared dead

Foreign Minister Brian Cowen has revealed that 20 Irish citizens are feared dead following the attacks in the United States on September 11.

Five Irish people have been confirmed dead, but Irish embassy officials in New York have said 15 more are missing and feared dead.

Meanwhile, the Irish Government is to give $300,000 to four New York-based groups to help Irish immigrants in the wake of the attacks.