President Higgins expresses ‘sympathy of the Irish people’

President Michael D Higgins has expressed the sympathy of the Irish people with the families of those killed and injured in the Westminster attack.

President Higgins said he be writing formally to Queen Elizabeth II and to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, “to express the sympathy, condolences and solidarity of the Irish people with our neighbours at this difficult time”.

Meanwhile, Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan has said no Irish people are believed to have been killed or injured in the attacks in London .

“The Irish embassy and my Department have been active in London, and at this time we have no reason to believe that any Irish citizens have been affected or are persons over whom there are concerns,” he said in a statement.

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Mr Flanagan added that he wished to “unreservedly condemn” the attack outside the Houses of Parliament at Westminster.

“I deplore the loss of life, and note that the casualties include a police officer killed in the line of duty,” he said.

“I wish to extend my condolences and on behalf of my Government, my support to the people of London and the UK. Terror and violence will never triumph over democracy.”

Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said it was monitoring developments closely through the Irish Embassy in London.

Anyone with serious concerns may contact the Department of Foreign Affairs Consular Assistance Unit on 01-4082527 or, for those in London, the Consular Unit of the Irish Embassy on +44 207 2352171