Irish leaders condemn New Zealand mosque attacks

DUBLIN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Irish President Michael D. Higgins on Friday issued a statement condemning the deadly attacks on two mosques in news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand.

"The attacks on mosques in news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand will have appalled people all over the world," Higgins said in the statement.

The Irish president offered the sympathy of the people of Ireland to the families of the victims and expressed the solidarity of the people of Ireland with the people of news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand.

"This attack on innocent lives at spaces of worship for a religious community will be condemned by all those who believe in freedom and democratic values," he said, adding that he has conveyed deepest sympathies on behalf of the Irish people to news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Governor-General Patsy Reddy.

Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney also condemned the attacks and conveyed his sympathies to the people of news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand on behalf of the Irish government as the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar is currently on a visit in the United States.

"I unreservedly condemn the terrorist attacks which took place in Christchurch, news.cn/en/tag/i0xngaj3163f76200c981b/index.html" target="_blank">new Zealand today. There can be no justification for acts of violence and discrimination based on religion or beliefs," said Coveney said in a statement.

Earlier on Friday, gunmen opened fire at two separate mosques in Christchurch, killing 49 people and wounding 48 others.