Department of Foreign Affairs action following bomb attacks in London

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin has been working overnight with the Embassy of Ireland in London collating information from relatives and friends of Irish citizens who may have been in the vicinity of the explosions in London yesterday.

The Embassy is also working with the Central Casualty Bureau in London which brings together all of the emergency services, including the London Metropolitan Police Service and the Foreign Office.

Embassy officials are talking to the main hospitals treating those badly injured in the explosions and keeping in touch with the main Irish Centres in London.

Efforts are continuing to establish the identity and nationality of the seriously injured. The Embassy has been advised by the British authorities that there are currently no known Irish casualties amongst those who are still being treated in hospital. 

The Embassy remains in contact with the Metropolitan Police about the fatalities and so far there are no known Irish citizens amongst those who have been confirmed dead and whose nationality is known to the police.

There are one or two Irish people about whom there are concerns and the Embassy in London is following up these cases with the Metropolitan Police. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy are working closely to ensure that families have access to all the support and assistance they need.  The help lines in Dublin and London (see below) remain open and anyone who has already been in touch with either office and has since had news of their friend or relative is invited to call either number again so that they can be eliminated from our enquiries.

Help lines:

Dublin:   1 800 242 548

Embassy, London: 00 44 207 201 2501
                             00 44 207 201 2508

ENDS+++
Press Office
8 July 2005