Irish leaders condemn 'vile' terrorist attack on UK city

The President and Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland have both condemned the terrorist attack that deliberately targeted children and teenagers attending a concert in the English city of Manchester last night (22 May 2017). At the time of writing twenty-two people have been killed and at least 59 people injured in a terrorist bombing during an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena. Some of those in hospital have life threatening injuries.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny  said: "The vile acts carried out in Manchester last night are a reminder of the depravity of the views held by the few. Those beliefs have no place in our society. 

"My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all those affected by this atrocity. I am heartbroken for all.

Irish President Michael D Higgins also offered his sympathy and that of the Irish people to the families of those who have lost their lives and been injured in the attack.  He said: "This cowardly attack on innocent citizens will have appalled all those who care for democracy, freedom and the right to live and enjoy the public space." 

He went on to say that our thoughts in Ireland are with all of the people of Manchester and our neighbours throughout the United Kingdom at this time.

"I am conveying this message to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and I will be writing formally to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth to convey the sympathy of the Irish people." 

Police have confirmed that a suicide bomber was responsible for the attack, which bore all the hallmarks of Islamist terrorism. There are fears of further such terrorist attacks in the days to come and the public are called on to be extra vigilant. The threat is said to have been compounded by the return to the UK and other parts of Europe of people who had been in Syria fighting with the Islamic State (IS) group. There are increasing calls for more vetting of those returning from abroad who have been linked to IS. This includes investigations of atrocities that they could have committed when in Syria and Iraq.