TAOISEACH Micheál Martin laid a wreath to mark Remembrance Sunday at a service in Enniskillen yesterday.
Sunday's event marked the 34th anniversary of the IRA 'Poppy Day' bombing in 1987 when 12 people were killed and dozens injured as they attended the service at the town's War Memorial.
Mr Martin, who was joined by Stormont's Education Minister Michelle McIlveen, laid a laurel wreath before standing in silence to pay his respects.
The Fianna Fáil leader was continuing a tradition begun by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2012 by attending the commemorative event in the Co Fermanagh town.
That move was symbolic of the greater recognition now afforded in the Republic of Ireland to those Irishmen who fought and died serving in the British Army in the First World War.
Mr Martin said: "In terms of remembering those who died in past wars, and also what's coming to mind is the terrible atrocity of 1987 in Enniskillen, when 12 people were killed and 60 injured.
"It calls to mind the futility of destruction and violence, and the impact that it had on this community and so many communities on the island.
"That speaks to the need for ongoing work, to reconcile, to work together, to bring together the different traditions on the island, to share the agenda for the future."
Former First Minister Arlene Foster, a native of Enniskillen, attended the event in a private capacity, standing alongside relatives of those killed in 1987, at the Clinton Centre, the location where the bomb went off.
Conservative MP and Minister of State, Conor Burns, was also in attendance.
Wreaths were laid by dignitaries from the British Army, the emergency services and representatives from US and Polish consuls.
Hundreds of people turned out to mark the occasion on Sunday, after numbers were restricted last year due to the pandemic.
A national two-minute silence was held at 11am, with similar ceremonies taking place at war memorials across the country.
In Belfast, Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl laid a wreath at the cenotaph in the Garden of Remembrance at City Hall.
First Minister Paul Givan was also in attendance as was joint secretary Kevin Conmy who attended on behalf of the Irish government.
It came as Buckingham Palace announced that it was with "great regret" that Queen Elizabeth was unable to attend the event at the Cenotaph in London, having sprained her back.
A wreath was laid on her behalf by Prince Charles.
