Speech at the Russian Embassy on signing the Beslan tragedy book of condolence

I want to thank Ambassador Vladimir Rakhmanin and his colleagues for their help in arranging for me to come here today to the Russian Embassy to sign the book of condolence for the victims of the Beslan Tragedy.

I have written to President Putin to express the condolences of the people of Ireland on the horrific events last week in Beslan.

I told President Putin that the people of Ireland were horrified by the atrocity perpetrated against hundreds of defenceless children, parents and teachers in the town of Beslan. I condemn without reservation the callous actions of the hostage-takers. I also expressed to him and to the whole Russian people our profound sympathy and solidarity in this  tragedy.

I also extended our sympathies to the families and friends of those who were so cruelly slaughtered. 

I believe that it would be appropriate that we in Ireland should reflect our horror at this outrage, and our solidarity with the victims, through taking time out over this weekend for a period of reflection or prayer, especially in the context of participation in religious services.

I am also requesting the organisers of major sporting events at the weekend to observe a minutes silence in memory of the victims.   

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