Taoiseach calls for three minutes’ silence for tsunami victims
Offices, factories and shops across the country are expected to come to a standstill tomorrow morning in a gesture of remembrance as the death toll for the natural disaster yesterday reached more than 144,000.
Jean Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, which now holds the EU presidency, has asked all 25 EU member states to stage a similar observance.
The Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Dr Seán Brady, on behalf of the four archbishops of Ireland, has also called on Irish people to observe next Friday as a day of solidarity with the victims of the tsunami in the form of reflection, fasting and generosity. “At family and parish level, people should take some time to come together and pray for the victims and survivors of the Asian earthquake and to give praise to God for our health and happiness,” said Dr Brady.
A special collection will also be held at all Masses next Sunday in support of the victims of the tidal wave with all proceeds being forwarded to the Catholic aid agency, Trocaire.
Yesterday, the Taoiseach said the tragedy had shocked the Irish nation and led to a tremendous outpouring of sympathy and generosity. He has ordered all public buildings to fly the tricolour at half mast tomorrow. “It is essential that we mourn the victims of this horrific event. It is also essential that the world community as a whole assists the survivors in rebuilding their communities and their lives.”
Over €20m is believed to have been raised in Ireland for victims of the disaster between the official Government contribution of €10m and a similar amount raised by the public through a variety of charities and fundraising activities.
The Taoiseach will meet representatives of several aid agencies later this afternoon to discuss how the Government’s contribution of €10m to emergency relief will be allocated. It is believed that several aid agency bosses will also use the meeting to call on the Government to send Irish soldiers to the region to support relief workers
A Department of Foreign Affairs official said there was no further information on the fate of four Irish people who are missing in Thailand about whom diplomatic staff have said they are extremely concerned.
They are Eilis Finnegan, Ballyfermot, Dublin; Lucy Coyle, Killiney, Dublin; Michael Murphy, Ballycongier, Co Wexford and Conor Keightley, Cookstown, Co Tyrone.
The department has advised relatives and friends travelling to Thailand to search for missing people to contact them prior to departure.
Officials want to notify such travellers on appropriate DNA records which they should bring, including dental records, in a bid to help Asian authorities with the task of identification.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that a Finnish national, who has been living in Ireland for the past five years, is also reported among those missing following last week’s tsunami.
It is believed that Dr Eero Pertilä, aged 56, an official of the European Commission, may have been killed by the tidal wave on December 26. Dr Pertilä, who comes originally from the Finnish town of Lahti but now lives in Trim, Co Meath, has been working with the European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office in nearby Meath village of Grange since 2000.
Dr Pertilä travelled to Thailand for the Christmas holidays with his two daughters from his first marriage, Anne Maria, aged 16, and Eeva, aged 14.
It is understood that the Pertilä family was staying in the popular Thai holiday resort of Khao Lak when the killer tidal wave struck.
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