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President Higgins expresses "sympathy and support of the Irish people" following London attacks

President Michael D Higgins has expressed the "sympathy and support of the Irish people" following the terrorist attack in London on Saturday. Picture by Toby Melville/PA Wire
President Michael D Higgins has expressed the "sympathy and support of the Irish people" following the terrorist attack in London on Saturday. Picture by Toby Melville/PA Wire President Michael D Higgins has expressed the "sympathy and support of the Irish people" following the terrorist attack in London on Saturday. Picture by Toby Melville/PA Wire

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has offered his sympathy to the families of those killed in the London attack.

Mr Higgins said the latest attack - the second in London in less than three months - will be condemned "by all those who believe in the rights of our public to live their lives in the public space".

He added: "To our neighbours in the United Kingdom I send the sympathy and support of the Irish people, and in particular the heartfelt sympathy to the families of those who have lost their lives, and our thoughts and wishes for such recovery as is possible to the injured and their families."

Outgoing taoiseach Enda Kenny tweeted: "Terrible news coming from London - we stand with our close neighbours again tonight. @IrelandEmbGB monitoring the situation."

Leo Varadkar, the new Fine Gael leader and the man expected to become the next taoiseach, said that "once again innocent people have been targeted in the most craven and horrific manner".

"The fact that this comes so soon after the Manchester attack only adds to the horror."

The Republic's tánaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, said that Gardaí have offered support to the authorities in London.

"The attack in London is another depraved and cowardly attack on innocent people. Our first thoughts are with the families of those killed and with the injured victims.

"I have spoken this morning with the Garda Commissioner who briefed me on developments. The Garda authorities remain in close contact with their counterparts in London and will offer whatever support they can," he said.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin described those responsible as "cowards" and said that London had withstood terrorist attacks before and became stronger as a result.

"(Saturday) night's attack will, I have no doubt, bring Londoners of all creeds, races, and ethnicities, even more together and will make the city even stronger.

"We know from our own past that the best response to terror is to be open, tolerant and to stand united," he said.

Brendan Howlin TD, leader of the Labour Party, condemned the attack as "mindlessly cruel".

"As members of the emergency services ran towards danger, and the people of London opened their homes, cars and businesses to provide support to those affected, the strength and resilience of the city of London was shown to all," he added.

Sinn Féin President and Louth TD Gerry Adams said: "I absolutely condemn last night's horrendous attacks in London.

"On behalf of Sinn Féin, I offer my sincere condolences to the victims and the families of those killed and injured and to the people of London."