Ahern sends sympathies to crash victims

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern tonight relayed sympathy to the relatives of the New York air crash victims.

He described the incident as "a terrible tragedy in a city that is still trying to recover from the horrific events of September 11".

Mr Ahern who visited the scene of the terrorist attacks in New York last week, added: "Having just returned and seen at first hand the devastation that the city has experienced, I also sensed a great spirit of hope and determination among the people.

"People here will be familiar with the Queens district of the city as it has a large Irish community.

"Many of the victims of the September 11 atrocity are from that district and tonight our thoughts and prayers are with the community and with the relatives of those who have perished in this terrible tragedy."

Earlier the Dept of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen was safe in New York.

Mr Cowen was due to deliver a speech to the United Nations General Assembly when the aircraft crashed near to JFK Airport.

The minister travelled to the UN headquarters in New York on Friday and planned to return home tomorrow.

A spokesman said: "He and the other ministers at the United Nations building are safe and well."

He added: "He was scheduled to return to Ireland tomorrow but those plans may now obviously be affected by the incident."