Despair and condemnation after Nice slaughter

A floral tribute left on the steps of the French Embassy in Dublin this morning. RollingNews.ie photo.

 

By Irish Echo Staff

Ireland and the United States mourned with France today after the horrific events of Thursday night in the southern French city of Nice.

And the attack, which left over 80 dead and many more fighting for their lives, raised immediate doubts about a visit to Ireland by French president Francois Hollande scheduled for Thursday, July 21.

In a statement, Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan deplored the latest terror attack.

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"This evening's terrible events in Nice have left me deeply shocked and saddened. I deplore the loss of life, and offer heartfelt condolences to the people of France from the people of Ireland,” said Mr. Flanagan in a statement.

"This attack on people as they celebrated Bastille Day with friends and family on a fine summer's evening is particularly horrendous, and my thoughts and sympathies are with the relatives of the dead and injured.

"My department is monitoring the situation closely, and our ambassador in France, Geraldine Byrne Nason, and her staff, are seeking to establish whether any Irish citizens have been caught up in this evening's tragic events.

Our embassy in Paris is on stand-by to offer assistance to any Irish people affected by these events and the staff of the Embassy are on duty and monitoring the situation closely.

President Hollande’s official visit to France next week is scheduled to be a one day stay, all of it in Dublin.

The visit is part of an effort by the French leader to bind EU members more strongly together in the aftermath of the UK Brexit vote.

At the time of writing the visit was still set to go ahead but must now be in extreme doubt.

Meanwhile, Congressman Peter King, in a statement said: "Our thoughts and prayers must be with the families and victims of the barbaric terrorist attack in Nice, France.

“Americans and the civilized world must realize that we have to destroy ISIS and all Islamist terrorists.”

King said that the U.S. had to bring all resources to bear to counter threats to the U.S. homeland.

 

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