The Taoiseach
Republic of Ireland
National Day of Mourning - Friday 14th September 2001
The Taoiseach Mr Bertie Ahern and the Tánaiste Mary Harney announced this afternoon that Friday next (14th September, 2001) is to be a National Day of Mourning for all of the victims, Irish, American and of other nationalities who died in yesterdays horrific atrocities in the United States.
The Taoiseach said “this country has a special relationship with the US.”
In the last census in the US 44 million people declared their ancestry as Irish. We know through the enormous amount of investment in companies that are in this country, through the huge amount of Irish people who travel all of the time to the US, and through all of our people who are in the US on a permanent basis and our students who are there during the Summer season - it is a unique and special relationship.
The Government felt arising out of these terrible events, which are not only an attack on the US but on democracy, that we should have a national day of mourning.
We would ask all businesses, schools, colleges, commercial and entertainment enterprises to observe that day where possible.
People should make an effort to attend their various religious services. The Tánaiste will make the formal arrangements on those matters this afternoon which make clear that the day should be treated as a Public Holiday by employers.
In conclusion we urge all citizens of the Republic to observe the National Day of Mourning in solidarity with all of the people who regrettably have lost their lives in the terrible events of the last 24 hours.
