IRISH REACTION:PRESIDENT MARY McAleese and Taoiseach Brian Cowen were among those who extended sympathies after the plane crash which resulted in the deaths of many prominent Polish public figures.
Mrs McAleese said she had the honour of meeting the late President Lech Kaczynski when he visited Ireland in 2007. “I am also acutely conscious that this tragedy will be particularly painful for the Polish community in Ireland as they come to terms with this terrible loss far from their native land,” she said.
Mr Cowen said the deaths of Mr Kaczynski, his wife Maria, and the large accompanying delegation was a terrible tragedy. “On my own behalf, and on behalf of my Government, I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the Polish government and the people of Poland for their huge loss arising from this terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at very sad and difficult time,” Mr Cowen said.
Catholic primate Cardinal Seán Brady called for prayers and support for the Polish community. “The suddenness and scale of this loss of life is profoundly upsetting,” he said.
Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said the loss of so many key figures would be a huge blow to Poland, “but I have no doubt that the Polish people will recover from this disaster with their characteristic courage”.
Fine Gael TD Noel Coonan, who chairs the Polish-Irish parliamentary friendship group, expressed “heartfelt sorrow”. Mr Coonan extended sympathy to Polish ambassador Tadeusz Szumowski, as well as the Polish people and the Polish community in Ireland.
