Statement by the Minster for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, T.D.

I learned with utter revulsion of the vicious and cowardly murder of Mr. Kieran Cummings this morning in Antrim. I want to express my deepest sympathy and that of the Government to the victim’s family and friends at this terrible time.

The murder bears all the hallmarks of a sectarian attack. There is no place in a civilised society for such activity. Nothing whatsoever justifies the taking of another person’s life.

This unfortunately appears to be the latest in a series of sectarian attacks . The perpetrators have no mandate and no support from any decent member of society North or South. They seek a return to the despair and misery of the failed politics of the past. We are determined that they will not succeed.

It is imperative, at this time of tension in Northern Ireland, that all sides now remain calm and that all with influence, either at community or political level, redouble their efforts to bring about a society where such evil deeds will be consigned forever to the past. Top