POLICE across the island of Ireland have increased their patrols in Jewish areas after a terror attack in Sydney.
By Sunday evening, a total of 16 were confirmed dead including a child after the shooting in Bondi Beach which targeted a Jewish celebration.
A further 40 people were also still in hospital for treatment.
New South Wales Police said two people armed with guns opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at a park next to a beach.
The PSNI and Garda have said they will be increasing visibility in areas representing Jewish communities.
PSNI Superintendent Yvonne McManus said: “We acknowledge the understandable concerns of Jewish communities in Northern Ireland, and our thoughts are with them today as they try to process this unfathomable tragedy.
“We want to show our support and as such, our focus is on providing proportionate reassurance that supports these communities.
“We have public safety plans in place, which includes providing a visible and reassuring policing presence to Jewish communities and increased passing patrols at a number of locations.”
She added that the PSNI had been in contact with members of the Jewish community to provide reassurance.
The public have also been encouraged to be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour at events or public gatherings.
Announcing similar measures, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said he would be meeting with the Chief Rabbi of Ireland, Yoni Wieder, to express his sympathies and discuss safety measures.
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Police forces in England and Scotland have also announced extra patrols.
Stormont’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, said the scenes from Bondi Beach were “heartbreaking.”
“I want to extend my thoughts, support and solidarity to the families and friends of the victims, to the Jewish community, and to all the people of Sydney,” she said.
“Sydney holds a very special place in the hearts of many here in Ireland, and we stand with them at this devastating time.”
The DUP leader Gavin Robinson said: “The chilling terror on Bondi Beach and the anti-semitic hate underlying it reverberates around the world.
“Following so closely after Manchester Synagogue attack in October, my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected and with our Jewish community in Belfast.
“You are not alone. We stand with you.”
The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin addressed the atrocity during a Carol service in St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh,
“Christians must do everything in our power to counteract prejudice and hatred towards our Jewish brothers and sisters, or indeed towards any minorities,” he said.
Stating the festival of Hanukkah had been “horrifically overshadowed by the darkness and evil of a terror attack,”
He continued: “I know that many Irish families have sons and daughters living in the Sydney and Bondi Beach area, as well as countless others in other parts of Australia, and no doubt everyone is deeply impacted by the awful attack which must have been terribly shocking and frightening for everyone present.”
Earlier, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs said it was “not aware” of any citizens who have been “impacted directly” the gun attack on Sydney’s Bondi Beach.
Minister Helen McEntee said she was in “shock and horror” at the antisemitic attack while the Irish President, Catherine Connolly, called it an “appalling” and said her thoughts were also with Irish people living in Sydney.
