Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D. on the Death of Mr. Simon Cumbers

Reacting to the death of Mr. Simon Cumbers, the Irishman who was shot dead in Riyadh yesterday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., today said: “I want to extend my most sincere condolences to the family of Simon Cumbers. An attack such as this, on journalists in the course of their duty, is abhorrent and deeply shocking. It is, in many ways, an attack on a vital pillar of democracy. Ireland’s Ambassador in Riyadh will extend every possible assistance to the family of Mr. Cumbers. I would also like to wish a full recovery to Mr. Cumbers’ colleague, Frank Gardner, who was seriously injured in yesterday’s attack.” Top