Concern for Irish passport holder in London
Friday, 8 July 2005 19:47
Concern is growing that there may have been at least one Irish victim in yesterday's attacks in London.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs told RTÉ News that he and his department have 'serious concerns' about the fate of an Irish passport holder who has been living in the UK for some time.
Dermot Ahern said they have been unable to find the person who, it is believed, may have lived elsewhere before moving to the UK.
The Irish Embassy has confirmed it is aware of one Irish person who is in hospital as a result of yesterday's explosions.
The injured man has been joined by his family, who are requesting his identity not be revealed.
A spokesman said the department and the Irish Embassy in London are continuing to deal with queries from Irish citizens living in the UK, and from relatives, regarding the safety and wellbeing of Irish people in the areas affected.
The spokesman said the number of calls to the helpline has reduced considerably since yesterday.
However, the department is still urging people with concerns to contact it via the helpline.
It is also urging those who have made contact with family since recording concerns with the department to call back to confirm that.
The helpline number is 1800 242 548.
Book of Condolence
The British Embassy on Merrion Road in Dublin opened a Book of Condolence today.
It was open to members of the public until 4pm this afternoon, and it will be open again between 10.30am and 4pm on Monday and Tuesday.
The British Ambassador, Stewart Eldon, said the embassy had been overwhelmed by the volume of calls and messages from the Irish people which, he said, were very much appreciated.
Meanwhile, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Catherine Byrne, said a Book of Condolence for the victims of the bomb attacks in London will be opened at the Mansion House on Dawson Street in central Dublin.
The Lord Mayor said the book will be open from 11am to 4pm on Monday and from 10am to 4pm from Tuesday to Friday next week, after which it will be forwarded to the British Embassy.
- News At One: Martina Fitzgerald reports from London on fears within the tourism industry that visitors may now avoid the British capital
- News At One: Lord Timothy Garden, Professor at King's College London's Centre for Defence Studies, analyses what might emerge from the bombings investigation
- News At One: Sandra Hurley reports on a news conference this morning at which the head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Ian Blair, underlined his force's determination to find the bombers
- News At One: Liza Pulman, freelance actress, tells of her terrifying experience in the underground as she filmed survivors making their escape with a camera phone
- Six One News: Bryan Dobson talks to Abdel Bari Atwan, Editor of the Al Quds newspaper, about the implications of yesterday's disaster
- Six One News: Will Goodbody reports on the role of the British intelligence services in the hunt for the perpetrators of yesterday's attacks
- Six One News: Bethan Kilfoil talks to some people who visited the British Embassy in Dublin to offer their condolences
- Six One News: Brian O'Connell has more detail on the investigation
- Six One News: Jonathan Clynch reports on the reaction from religious leaders and Queen Elizabeth to the bombings
- Six One News: Brian O'Connell, London Editor, reports on the latest on the recovery operation and police investigation
- Six One News: Charlie Bird, Chief News Correspondent, reports from London on the aftermath of yesterday's quadruple bomb attack
