Foreign Minister's sorrow at London blasts
Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern today expressed his profound sorrow and concern at the blasts that have devastated public transport in London and resulted in the loss of life and serious injury.
Mr Ahern said that whil his department was not yet aware of any Irish casualties, it in collaboration with the Irish Embassy in London is closely monitoring the situation.
An emergency centre has been set up in the Department of Foreign Affairs for anyone who is concerned about the welfare of relatives in London.
It can be contacted on: 1800 242 548.
An emergency centre has also been set up in the Irish Embassy in London for Irish citizens based in Britain. The Embassy’s numbers for those citizens are: 0207 201 2508 or 0207 201 2501.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent also expressed his shock and concern following the explosions and casualties.
“I am deeply shocked at today’s events and, on behalf of the Green Party, send my sympathies to the victims and families,” he said.
“I have contacted the British Ambassador and our colleagues in the English Green Party to convey our shock and express our solidarity with the victims and all those bereaved, injured and traumatised by the unpalatable cruelty of these explosions.”
The deputy leader of the nationalist SDLP Dr Alasdair McDonnell was among travellers in London affected by the explosions.
The South Belfast MP, who was returning on a tube train to Heathrow Airport which ground to a halt, described the scenes as “totally heartbreaking”.
“Reports are spreading of many fatalities as up to six explosions have went off. The city has ground to a halt as emergency services rush to do all they can to help those injured,” he said.
“It is not clear who is responsible for planting these explosions, but no organisation or no cause can justify killing innocent people like this.
“I am utterly shocked and saddened by what has happened here this morning. My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims of this horrific attack.”
Ulster Unionist leader, Sir Reg Empey was convinced a terrorist attack had been launched on the British capital.
The East Belfast Assembly member said: “We in this part of the UK have experienced first hand the evil of republican terrorism and stand shoulder to shoulder today with the people of London.
“Today has demonstrated yet again the evil of terrorism and the evil of the ideologies that use terror. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and those who have unfortunately been bereaved.
“Those who have so viciously attacked our nation will, we trust, learn that the British people will not be intimidated by terror.”l
