President Mary McAleese has condemned the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed which have given rise to violent protests throughout the Islamic world.
The President said that Ireland abhorred the publication of the cartoons which she said had been designed to provoke, to be rude and to inflame.
She said the Muslim community in Ireland shared with the Irish community an equal abhorrence at the use of violent protest.
Mrs McAleese was speaking at a news conference during an official visit to Saudia Arabia.
