The Irish Red Cross has begun an appeal today to raise funds to help the victims of the hostage siege in a school in Beslan, Russia, last week.
Up to 400 people were killed and 562 injured when Russian battled with militants who had taken an estimated 1,000 people - mostly school children - hostage at the school.
Ms Carmel Dunne, Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross, said Irish people can help by donating money to the Irish Red Cross to enable their Russian counterparts to provide urgent medical assistance to the injured and run psychological support programmes for victims and their families.
"We are calling on the generosity of Irish people to give what they can to help alleviate the suffering caused by this terrible tragedy. You can make a donation over the phone by calling 1850 507070 or by post to the Irish Red Cross, 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2," she said.
All funds raised from the Irish Red Cross appeal will be donated to the Russian Red Cross in Beslan. The local branch of the Russian Red Cross (RRC) in Beslan, headed by the chief doctor of the central district hospital, has been directly involved in providing assistance on the ground.
Twenty-five psychologists and 60 nurses from the RRC have been mobilised and are providing assistance to distraught relatives.
The RRC has set up an operational group at its headquarters in Moscow to coordinate workers and volunteers, and the distribution of humanitarian aid if necessary. In the North Ossetian capital, Vladikavkaz, the RRC has established a team to organise assistance for the hostages and their relatives.
Irish national schools will hold a minute's silence at midday today to honour the victims of Beslan.
Books of condolences are still open for the public to sign in the Russian Embassy in Rathgar and the Mansion House on Dawson Street.
Meanwhile, The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) has asked all teachers and pupils to mark today's national day of mourning in Russia by holding a minute's silence in all schools at 12.00 pm today.
On behalf of all Irish teachers and pupils the Irish National Teachers' Organisation offers its sincere sympathy to the families of all those killed and injured in Beslan, Russia.
"As a mark of respect and solidarity with bereaved families and neighbours I ask all teachers to mark today's national day of mourning in Russia by holding a minute's silence with their pupils in all schools at 12.00 noon," said INTO president Mr Austin Corcoran.
"Today Irish teachers join with other teachers around the world in expressing their revulsion at the events that have taken place in Russia. These events of the last few days have deeply shocked and horrified all Irish teachers and their pupils.
"Many teachers spent a great deal of time over the past few days helping young people to try and comprehend the awful events that they witnessed on their television screens and in newspapers. Teachers feel a sense of shared loss at the deaths of so many colleagues and their pupils in such horrific circumstances," he concluded.
Mr Corcoran will pay respects today on behalf of teachers at the Russian Embassy, Orwell Road, Dublin.