Up to eight million people have demonstrated across Spain, in a show of grief and anger at yesterday's terrorist bomb attacks that killed nearly two hundred people and injured as many as fifteen hundred.
Two million people tonight joined a protest in the capital, Madrid, led by Spain's Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar.
The Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the EU Commission President Romano Prodi joined Spanish leaders at the head of the march in a huge show of unity a day after the bomb.
Ireland was represented by the Minister for Agriculture Joe Walsh.
The Spanish maintained that ETA were still the chief suspects for the bombing, despite a statement this evening from the Basque separatist group denying any involvement.
Spain's Interior Minister, Angel Acebes, also said the discovery of an unexploded bomb, believed to be part of the attacks, opens new leads in the hunt for those behind the atrocity.
Taoiseach calls for three-minute silence
The Taoiseach, in his role as President of the European Council, has called on all member states of the EU to observe a three-minute silence to commemorate the victims of the Madrid bombings.
Bertie Ahern said he was asking Irish people to observe the silence at 11am on Monday, when it will be noon in Madrid.
He said he hoped it would be observed across the European Union and would demonstrate a collective sense of solidarity with Spain and its people.
No line of inquiry ruled out
Meanwhile, the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar said all possible angles would be investigated to catch those responsible for the bombings which killed 199 people and left over 1,400 injured.
Mr Aznar was speaking just before millions of Spaniards held a five-minute silence for the victims.
The country has begun three days of mourning for the victims of the bombings, which exploded simultaneously on four trains at Madrid stations during rush hour yesterday morning.
Belfast woman hurt in bombings
A woman from Belfast was among the hundreds of people who were injured in Madrid. Denise Ann Gilroy was on one of the Atocha trains when the bombs went off.
Ms Gilroy was being treated at one of the city's main hospitals, Gregorio Maranon, where her condition was not serious. There was no suggestion of any Irish fatalities.
Vigil on O'Connell Street
In Dublin, a minute's silence took place at the Spanish Embassy in Dublin, where a Book of Condolence has been opened. Around 100 people, both Spanish and Irish, gathered at the embassy to pay their respects.
A vigil organised by the Spanish community in Ireland to coincide with a number of similar events throughout Europe is taking place this evening outside the GPO on O'Connell Street in Dublin.
