IRISH REACTION: There was widespread political condemnation in Dublin yesterday of the Madrid bombings, with the Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny saying the attacks amounted to "an attack on democracy itself coming just three days before the Spanish general election".
He said that having been in Madrid in recent weeks he had been very impressed by the Spanish Government's "courageous stance against terrorism". In fact, just last month prime minister Mr Aznar organised a major international conference on the victims of terrorism in Madrid, which was attended by victims of the Omagh bomb."
The Labour Party leader described the attacks as "a despicable crime that will horrify anyone with any shred of decency or humanity. These were murderous attacks aimed not just at the Spanish people, but also at Spanish democracy itself." Those who engaged in such activity "and those who act at their political apologists must be shunned by all democrats throughout the world".
The Green Party chairman Mr John Gormley said the attack was "an act of barbarism and the perpetrators must be brought to justice. There should be no place for terrorists here or abroad. We would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the people of Spain, especially those who have lost loved ones." He said we were close to the 30th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings were only too familiar with the carnage and suffering which results from terrorism.