Cowen condemns Madrid attacks

Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen has condemned this morning’s bomb attacks in Madrid, which have killed at least 60 people.

Mr Cowen said he felt horror and revulsion when he heard of the attacks at three commuter rail stations in the Spanish capital.

He said he had spoken to his Spanish counterpart to convey his sympathies on behalf of the Irish people.

Meanwhile, Pat Cox, the president of the European parliament, has described the bombings as “a declaration of war on democracy”.

Mr Cox led a minute’s silence for the victims of the attacks at the start of this morning’s session of the parliament in the French city of Strasbourg.