SOLIDARITY OF SMALL NATIONS: OUR POLITICIANS OFFER SUPPORT

IRELAND offered the solidarity of small nations yesterday to the heartbroken people of New Zealand over the slaughter in Christchurch.

President Michael D Higgins said the attacks on mosques in New Zealand will have appalled people all over the world.

‘As President of Ireland, may I offer the sympathy of the people of Ireland to the families of the victims, and express the solidarity of the people of Ireland with the people of New Zealand at this time.

‘This attack on innocent lives at spaces of worship for a religious community will be condemned by all those who believe in freedom and democratic values.

‘I have conveyed deepest sympathies on behalf of the Irish people to Prime Minister Ardern and to Governor General Reddy.’ The Taoiseach said: ‘On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I want to express our condolences and our solidarity with the people of New Zealand following the horrific attacks in Christchurch.

‘Irish people share a deep affinity with the people of New Zealand, whether it’s through rugby, travel or pride in our culture as small island nations.

‘New Zealand and its people are open, tolerant and welcoming. We join them today, united in our condemnation of this appalling attack and determined in our resolve that hate will not triumph.’

Foreign Affairs Minister, Tánaiste Simon Coveney, said: ‘I unreservedly condemn the terrorist attacks which took place in Christchurch, New Zealand today.

‘Freedom of religious expression is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy and those rights must be guaranteed for all citizens,’ he said.

The New Zealand ambassador to the EU and Nato spoke emotionally in Dublin, and said his home country was reeling from the ‘dreadful’ events.

At an Irish Farmers Journal conference, New Zealand Ambassador to the European. Union David Taylor said: ‘New Zealand is reeling from this. But, as the prime minister said, New Zealand represents diversity, kindness, compassion.’

Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill labelled the attack horrific. ‘The attack at two mosques in Christchurch... is to be condemned,’ she said.

Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin said: ‘I want to add my words of solidarity to the people of New Zealand, especially members of its Muslim communities. Ireland is like New Zealand in many ways,’ Mr Howlin added.

‘We have a similar size of population and we are a peaceful country with a similarly low level of violence or gun crime.

‘Migration to Ireland has brought a diverse and multicultural society,’ he said, ‘with new mosques being built alongside many other places of worship. That social change has been greatly positive for Ireland.

‘Most people here remember all too well that millions of Irish left famine and poverty to become migrant workers all over the world.

‘We remember too that the Catholic Irish were often discriminated against in places where they settled.

‘There is no place in Ireland for hate speech or stereotyping of people by religion or ethnicity. There can be no tolerance for intolerance.’

Fianna Fáil spokesman on Foreign Affairs Niall Collins said: ‘This horrific and brutal assassination of innocent people at their place of worship is truly shocking.’

‘We are similar in many ways’