THE German President, Dr Roman Herzog, yesterday sent a "loud and clear" message of thanks to Irish people for the help they gave to 400 German children after the second World War.
Dr Herzog was on his first official visit to the State to commemorate Operation Shamrock, when German refugees were brought by the Irish Red Cross and given sanctuary in foster homes.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the German embassy in Dublin Castle, Dr Herzog told the audience, which included 160 of the original German refugees and 180 of the foster families, that he was "delighted" to be in Ireland. "What you did for Germany has tied still stronger bonds between our two countries," he told them, "and while it can never be repaid, we can say thank you loud and clear, again and yet again."
Earlier in the day Dr Herzog met the President, Mrs Robinson, at Aras an Uachtarain where a tree planting ceremony took place. Afterwards, both attended an ecumenical service at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, to commemorate Operation Shamrock.
"This is such a wonderful day," said Mr Heinz Willeins, who left his home in Dusseldorf in 1947 and spent three years with a family in Knockdonagh, Co Clare. "I keep getting terrible goosebumps. It is very emotional."
During the ceremony the Rev Pastor Paul Gerhard Fritz of the Lutheran Church in Ireland gave thanks for this "happy chapter" in German Irish relations.
Also attending the service was the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Brendan Lynch, Ms Mary Banotti MEP and representatives from the Irish Red Cross Society Mrs Owen told a reception in Dublin Castle her aunt had looked after a German foster child. She later accepted a commemorative plaque which was presented to the people of Ireland by Dr Herzog before he returned to Germany. It will be fitted today to a fountain in St Stephen's Green which was donated by the people of Germany in 1954 as a sign of their gratitude.