Ireland Marks 9/11 Anniversary of Terrorist Attacks on US

In connection with the first anniversary of the terrorist outrages that took place in New York, Washington, D.C,. and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11 last year, a number of commemorative services and events have been arranged to be held tomorrow in Ireland to mark the anniversary.

The Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Bertie Ahern, T.D., called on the public to commemorate the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 atrocities in an appropriate manner and requested that a minute's silence at 1:46 p.m. (the moment of the first plane's collision with the World Trade Center in New York) should be observed in offices, factories and schools throughout the State.

The Taoiseach, the Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Mary Harney, T.D., and other members of the Government attended a private commemoration ceremony at the US Embassy. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste also attended a special commemorative Mass at the Pro-Cathedral in Dublin.

The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, observed the minute's silence at 1:46 p.m. during a function she attended in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, and will be represented at the ceremonies in the US Embassy and Pro-Cathedral.

Members of the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann) also observed the minute's silence at 1:46 p.m. Members of the Government will also attend special commemorative services being held in Dublin and throughout the country by the other major denominations in Ireland, including the Church of Ireland, the Jewish and Muslim communities and the Unitarian Church.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., who is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, attended a special commemorative Mass being held by the Irish community in New York at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept 10, at the Holy Trinity Church, 213 W. 82nd Street, New York. He also attended the special City of New York 11 September Commemorative Service in Battery Park on the evening of Sept. 11, 2002.

The Taoiseach, Mr. Ahern, said that the ceremonies being organized throughout Ireland "reflect the deeply-felt horror of the Irish people at the human suffering on that day, as well as the particular bonds of kinship and friendship which link us all with the people of the United States."