Leading figures in the Catholic Church and politics have payed tribute to the murdered Irish Papal Nuncio to Burundi, Archbishop Michael Courtney.
Archbishop Courtney was injured in an ambush yesterday near the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, and later died in hospital.
He was travelling in a diplomatic car carrying the Vatican flag when he sustained bullet wounds in the head, shoulder and leg. Two other occupants of the vehicle, both Burundian and one a priest, escaped injury.
The Catholic Primate, Archbishop Seán Brady, said he was "deeply shocked" at the news. Extending his sympathy to the Courtney family, he said it was typical of the late archbishop's "noble, generous spirit that he should have met his death while returning from a pastoral visit to one of the dioceses in Burundi".
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, also expressed his shock and condemned the "horrific attack".
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen called Dr Courtney "a man devoted entirely to peace."
The Minister praised the Archbishop for his assistance to the Irish Government, particularly during Ireland's term on the UN Security Council, when Irish officials participated in two Security Council missions to Burundi. "Ireland has lost a brave and distinguished citizen," Mr Cowen added.
The Vatican expressed "deep sorrow and dismay" today over the killing. Pope John Paul called Dr Courtney a loyal and unselfish servant of the Church.
In Rome last night, the Coadjutor Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin, said he was "absolutely stunned". He described Archbishop Courtney's killing as "a very nasty piece of work". Cardinal Desmond Connell said he was "greatly distressed by the tragic news of the murder".
The President of Burundi, Mr Domitien Ndayizey, condemned the killing. He said "the people who committed the attack are enemies of peace in Burundi". Military sources said the army now planned a major crackdown against rebels.
It emerged today that Archbishop Courtney had cancelled his usual post-Christmas break to stay in the tiny African country because he thought the peace process there was making progress, his sister said today.
"I did ring him before Christmas, because he usually took a break after Christmas, and he sounded very optimistic," his sister Kathleen Vandenburg said.
"Normally he would have been out of the country at that time, [but] for the first time I heard an optimistic note in his voice about what was happening in Burundi," she said.
A funeral service for the Archbishop is expected to take place in Burundi before his body is returned home to Ireland. A date has yet to be announced for the service.
Additonal reporting Reuters