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THE CITY OF Manchester woke up this morning to the news that 22 people died in an explosion at an Ariana Grande concert.
Police have confirmed that there are children among the victims and among the 59 injured.
One man has now been arrested in connection with the attack.
Police are treating the incident as an act of terror, stating that the sole attacker died at the scene. They believe he detonated a device in the public foyer area of the Manchester Arena at about 10.33pm.
Here’s what’s known so far:
People in the UK are waking up to the news that the country has been hit by another terrorist attack.
The streets of Manchester are empty at the moment, bar an extremely heavy police presence.
The latest statement from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was released about two hours ago. It said:
Victims are yet to be identified but eyewitnesses from the concert have told reporters that the concert was attended by vast numbers of children, teenagers and young people.
Ariana Grande’s fanbase is generally young women, aged in their teens to early 20s.
A woman who brought her daughter to the Arena last night told Sky News that the venue was “full of beautiful girls… and families”.
Another mother told the broadcaster that it was “full of children”. She added:
I’m just so sad about the whole thing… you never expect something like this to happen. It’s so awful for everyone involved.
“I just grabbed my daughter and ran… [it was] terrifying. I’ve never been so scared in my life. She’s very shocked, it’s not a nice experience to go through… We’ll be traumatised for a long time.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in the UK say they are monitoring the situation of Irish citizens in Manchester.
They have issued a contact number for anyone who is worried about a family member.
If you’re just getting up to the news, here’s the liveblog we ran overnight which details the events as they happened.
Here’s a quick recap of what we actually know:
Singer Ariana Grande was unhurt in the explosion. She has since tweeted about her devastation, while her management has released a full statement.
Political reporters in Britain have said there will be a suspension in General Election campaigning today.
Last night, Prime Minister Theresa May described the attack as appalling, offering her thoughts to the victims and their loved ones.
She has called an emergency meeting of Cobra (which deals with national crises) for 9am today.
The front pages of Britain’s newspapers are showing scenes of the devastation last night.
Many desperate family members have used the #MissingInManchester hashtag on Twitter to try and reunite with loved ones. People have been gathering at hotels which opened their doors to provide refuge to concert-goers who became separated from their group, or couldn’t return to their homes or transport.
#RoomForManchester has been used by people offering spare rooms, beds and other places to stay for those who attended the Arena, and have nowhere else to go.
Some pictures of Manchester at dawn…
The Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan has issued a statement in the last few minutes. He said:
I am shocked and horrified by the large loss of life in Manchester last night and my thoughts and prayers are with those affected, and we stand by our nearest neighbour, the UK especially due to the strong links between our country and the city of Manchester.
The Consular Section of my Department, in conjunction with our Embassy in London is monitoring the situation and we are not at this time aware of any Irish citizens affected.
Anyone with concerns for family and friends can contact the Consular Division of my Department on 353 1 408 2000.
Callouts for blood donations are now being made – led by the Mayor – in Manchester as the city rallies to help victims.
James Corden taped this emotional message to Manchester after his Late Late Show in the US. He paid tribute to the city of football, music and curries.
“Many of you won’t have ever been to Manchester but you’ll definitely have heard of it. It’s famous all over the world for so many wonderful things… great football teams Man City, Man United; it’s famous for incredible music – Oasis and Joy Division; it was the birthplace of the Suffragettes; it was the home of the inventor of the first computer. It’s a place full of comedy and curries and character.
But when I think of Manchester, the place that I know, I think of the spirit of the people there. I’m telling you, a more tight-knit group of people you will be hard-pressed to find. Strong, proud, caring people with community at its core.
“If it was even possible, the spirit of the people of Manchester will grow even stronger this evening.
My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Manchester tonight, all of the staff and security at the Arena, all the emergency services, Ariana and her team and all of those families affected by tonight.
“We’ll all go to bed holding our little ones even tighter this evening.”
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has added his voice to those praying for the victims of last night’s attack in Manchester.
British Home Secretary Amber Rudd has described the attack as “barbaric”, noting that it targeted the most vulnerable in society – young people and children.
“The great city of Manchester has been affected by terrorism before. Its spirit was not bowed; its community continued,” she added.
This time it has been a particular attack on the most vulnerable in our society. Its intention was to sow fear; its intention is to divide. But it will not succeed.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins has said that 22 people have now died in the explosion.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins told reporters that this is a “very-fast moving investigation” and, therefore, he was light on detail during his latest briefing.
However, he confirmed that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED). He would not comment if there were materials used – such as shrapnel or nails – in the IED.
He also told the media that the man they believe detonated the device is dead at the scene. He would not comment on his nationality when asked by reporters.
Following his earlier tweet, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has issued the following statement:
The vile acts carried out in Manchester last night are a reminder of the depravity of the views held by the few. Those beliefs have no place in our society.
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and all those affected by this atrocity. I am heartbroken for all.
The city of Manchester has exceptionally close ties with our country and I extend the solidarity of the Irish Government and all our people to those affected across the UK.
Here’s a full transcript from Chief Constable Ian Hopkins of Greater Manchester Police at a news conference in the city just now:
“Our thoughts are with the 59 people who have been injured and their loved ones. We will continue to do all that we can.
This is a fast-moving investigation with significant resources, including visible resources, deployed.
“More than 400 officers have been deployed throughout the night.
“To recap, we were called at 10.33pm to a report of an explosion at the Manchester Arena at the conclusion of an Ariana Grande concert. We then received 240 calls and emergency services responded quickly to the scene.
“Two emergency numbers have been set up: +44 161 856 9400 or +44 161 856 9900
We are treating this as a terrorist incident. Our attention is focused on one man who we believe carried out the attack, and our priority now is to see whether or not he acted alone or as part of a network.
“We can confirm that the attacker died at the arena. He had been carrying an improvised explosive device which he detonated to carry out this atrocity.
“We cannot be more specific on details, as this is a complex, fast-moving and wide-ranging investigation.
“Victoria Station and the roads surround it will remain closed, we would ask that people consult with Transport for Greater Manchester as regards the status of public transport.
Terrorists will attempt to disrupt our lives, but this city has a long history of standing together in difficult times.
“It’s important that we all continue to remain vigilant but also go about our daily lives. We would implore the public to report any details of suspicious activity they may notice.
“As people are waking up to this atrocity, our officers and the staff of the emergency services will continue to do all they can during the difficult days ahead.
“We would ask that anyone with images and footage pertinent to the incident to upload them to ukpoliceimageappeal.com
“I can confirm that some children are among the deceased.”
Parents looking for their teenage children; mothers trying to escape with their daughters and young people confused with what was happening at the conclusion of a pop concert.
The eyewitness accounts of the aftermath of last night’s events at the Manchester Arena are devastating.
The 59 people who have been injured in the attack are being treated across eight hospitals in Manchester.
Overnight, the North West Ambulance Service confirmed 60 ambulances had been deployed to transport victims from the Arena.
Here’s the latest statement from Manchester police.
They have asked people to refrain from speculating on details or sharing rumoured names of attacker.
Chief constable Ian Hopkins said a “complex and wide-ranging investigation” is underway. They want to establish if the attacker was working within a wider network.
British media and families have started to report from the eight hospitals where victims are being treated.
Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin has issued a statement to express his “deepest sorrow and sympathies to the loved ones of those who lost their lives”.
To attack a group of young people in such a cowardly way is simply abhorrent to the vast majority of people in Ireland, and I know that the people of Ireland stand in solidarity with the people of Manchester.
As a parent, I find this attack exceptionally difficult to comprehend, and while details are limited at present, it’s clear that whoever orchestrated this attack cares little for basic decency and humanity.
The ties between Ireland and Manchester run deep, but we know that the people of Manchester are strong and resilient and will rise above this barbaric attack on innocence.
In the days and weeks to come, we will be praying for those who have lost their lives, and those who were injured.
Many people in Ireland this morning are talking about how much they enjoyed Ariana’s gig in Dublin last weekend – and how the crowd was full of parents and children – putting the devastation into even sharper focus.
What we know so far:
Charlie Flanagan, Foreign Affairs Minister, has said his department has no evidence of any Irish people being caught up in last night’s terror attack.
“We have been monitoring the situation through London and officials in my department… we have no evidence of any Irish people being involved. We’re keeping a close eye on the situation,” he told reporters this morning.
Police in London have dismissed a reported package as “not suspicious”.
BREAKING: US President Donald Trump has just expressed solidarity with the UK.
Of the suspected suicide bomber at last night’s Manchester Arena, he said he wouldn’t call that person a monster, he would call the bomber “a loser”.
On the wider issues of ongoing terrorism, he said he would show “no tolerance for this continuation of this bloodshed”.
“(It) must be completely obliterated… and all innocent lives must be protected.”
Trump made his comments as he met the leader of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, on the last day of his Middle East visit.
He said:
“On behalf of the people of the United States, I would like to begin by offering my prayers to the people of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
“I extend my deepest condolences to those so terribly injured in this terrorist attack and to the many killed and the families, so many families, of the victims.
“We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom.
“So many young, beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers in life.
“I won’t call them monsters because they would like that term. They would think that’s a great name. I will call them, from now on, losers because that’s what they are. Losers. And we’ll have more of them. But they’re losers, just remember that.
“This is what I’ve spent the last few days talking about during my trip overseas. Our society can have no tolerance for this continuation of bloodshed.”
Parents waiting anxiously for their children to descend the steps from Manchester Arena to Victoria Station last night, just minutes after the explosion which killed at least 22 people, and injured scores of others.
Thanks to Zach Bruce, who kindly gave us permission to reproduce his eyewitness video.
Families have been using social media to try to reunite with their loved ones.
While there have been some hoax ‘missing’ photographs circulating, one family whose genuine plight continues to be highlighted are the Rutherfords who are desperately trying to track down their daughter and sister, Chloe Rutherford who has not been in contact since the concert last night. She and her boyfriend Liam Curry are missing.
This is Chloe’s brother Scott, making an appeal in the early hours of this morning. The picture shows Chloe and Liam.
He says that his mother and father went to the Etihad Stadium where people had been sheltering since last night’s attack but that there has been no sign so far.
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, Cressida Dick has released a statement expressing sympathy with the people of Manchester and praising the actions of first responders:
Our colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and their emergency services showed huge bravery as they ran towards the confusion and danger.
The full statement here:
Taoiseach Enda Kenny was in sync with the thoughts of so many parents on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland when he spoke of how particularly heinous last night’s bombing was.
I think that when you consider that last night at least we know 22 people went out to enjoy themselves who will never come home.
In this country, where we’re so used to concerts, any parent who has ever brought their young son or daughter to a concert will know that this would have been a dream night out. The weeks and the days counted down to big event.
And if you like, this makes it an attack on innocence and on happiness and therefore on behalf of the people of our country, I say to all those who were unfortunately and tragically killed, injured and their families, that we as a nation hold them very closely in our hearts.
There is, of course, huge concern here about terrorism and Kenny said that he has spoken this morning to the Minister for Justice about security in Ireland. “Obviously the gardai are in touch with their counterparts across the water. We share information on a very detailed and regular basis.”
He was due to speak to British PM Theresa May this morning but that’s had to be rescheduled but he will be speaking to Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan this morning about the current security arrangements “that we monitor constantly here”.
TheJournal.ie understands that there is unlikely to be a change in our terror alert status unless a particular Irish connection was identified and relayed to gardai.
The impact and scale of the atrocity is still unfolding. Just now, the Manchester police force warned that they are still working on the scene and the city centre is paralysed.
From joy to terror in a matter of minutes. Many of the pink balloons released here at the end of the Ariana Grande concert were seen shortly afterwards scattered on the floor of the arena as the venue was evacuated in the wake of the explosion that killed 22 people. Some of the balloons were visible in photographs of the scene outside, still clutched by shocked concertgoers as they stumbled out of the arena.
Seemingly unrelated incident on a London-bound flight being reported by the Associated Press’s senior Gulf correspondent, Jon Gambrell.
The threat is “non-credible” is the statement from Virgin Atlantic, according to Gambrell but “all passengers pulled off and rescreened at Dubai airport” as a precaution.
Just a note – we are only sharing information on this liveblog that we can confirm with official sources. Please be aware of some of the hoaxes that have circulated since last night’s explosion, and try not to feed them on social media.
The people of Manchester are dealing with the immediate aftermath of the atrocity. Leaders of various religious faiths are out at the scene to show solidarity with their communities.
This is the Dean of Manchester, Rogers Govender, leading prayers at a police cordon on Deansgate near the Manchester Arena:
From Buzzfeed reporter Emily Dugan:
At home, Catholic primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, sent a message of support to the Bishop of Salford, who serves the greater Manchester area.
“Such a violent and brutal attack inflicts terror and long-lasting trauma on children and families and leaves a wound that can only be healed by compassion, love and solidarity,” Archbishop Martin said in a statement.
Such an awful attack challenges us all to resolve personally to build peace, solidarity and hope everywhere. Only in this way can the hearts of those who plan and perpetrate such violent and pointless attacks be changed.
He said he would remember the victims of the attack and their families in his Masses and prayers.
BREAKING: British Prime Minister Theresa May has spoken at Downing Street calling last night’s attack on Manchester Arena as “among the worst terrorist experiences we have ever experienced” and “the worst-ever to hit the north of England”.
She outlined that police believe they know the identity of the man who exploded his improvised device, “deliberately choosing the time and place” that would cause most carnage and to young families and groups of children.
May said that she could not comprehend a mind that “sees a room packed with young people not as a scene to cherish but as an opportunity for carnage”.
All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks, she said, but this one stood out for its “appalling sickening cowardice”. It was an attack on people “who should have been enjoying one of the memorable nights of their lives”.
The death toll still stands at 22, and the injured at 59, but many of these are being treated for life-threatening injuries.
May will visit Manchester today to liaise with the authorities but also to pay tribute to “the countless acts of kindness” and bravery of the people of Manchester.
Police have evacuated the Manchester Arndale Centre.
BBC News a reporting that it is described as an “urgent evacuation”.
Images show that the area around the Arndale Centre is being evacuated.
Images show people running from the direction of the shopping centre.
The Arndale Centre is located a short distance from the Manchester Arena where last night’s terrorist attack occurred.
Tweets from the scene of the Arndale Centre show people running from the shopping centre:
Aoife Barry here with you now on the liveblog.
As of yet, it hasn’t be confirmed by police what had caused the Arndale Centre to be evacuated. Here’s where the centre is located in the city, related to Manchester Arena:
21 years ago, the centre was hit in an IRA bomb and was rebuilt, along with other damaged buildings.
Latest photos from the scene show that the Arndale Centre has reopened:
According to AP, July McKenzie, who was shopping when the Arndale shopping centre, said:
We were just in the shop and could hear people screaming and security guards telling everybody to get out.
Some people left the scene in tears, while others waited outside the mall.
Meanwhile, Turkish officials say they “strongly condemn” the attack in Manchester and promised to work together with the United Kingdom against terror.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that Turkey “shares the pain of the state of England and the English people” in the attack that killed 22 people.
Turkey has been hit by a string of attacks blamed on the Islamic State group and Kurdish militants since 2015, killing at least 550 people
Manchester police say that they have arrested a 23-year-old man in South Manchester in relation to last night’s incident:
A second arrest, which took place at the Arndale Centre this morning, is not believed to be connected to the attack:
The first victim of the attack last night has been named as student Georgina Callander:
DUP leader Arlene Foster has commented on the attack last night, saying:
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those murdered in this indiscriminate and barbaric terrorist attack and with those who have been injured. We all stand in solidarity with the people of Manchester and must unite in condemnation of those who brought terror to so many families as they enjoyed a concert.
“As has happened so often before, our emergency services responded swiftly and professionally without regard for their own safety to help those in need. I pay tribute to them and to those who are already working to identify anyone involved in this attack and bring them to justice.
“Whilst terrorists can bring pain and grief, the kindness and generosity displayed by the people of Manchester has already shown that they will not win.”
Manchester attack victim Georgina Callander was a pupil at Runshaw College.
The college has released a statement, saying its deepest sympathies go out to her friends and family. Counselling is being made available to students:
This interview with a Manchester taxi driver who helped out last night has been shared over 12,000 times on Twitter, testament to people’s support for each other during a time of crisis:
Queen Elizabeth has released a statement on the attack last night:
The whole nation has been shocked by the death and injury in Manchester last night of so many people, adults and children, who had just been enjoying a concert.
I know I speak for everyone in expressing my deepest sympathy to all who have been affected by this dreadful event and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or were injured.
I want to thank all the members of the emergency services, who have responded with such professionalism and care.
And I would like to express my admiration for the way the people of Manchester have responded, with humanity and compassion, to this act of barbarity.
ELIZABETH R.
Greater Manchester Police are urging people to avoid Manchester city centre as emergency services work at the scene of last night’s attack:
Here in Ireland, Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has condemned last night’s attack in Manchester.
“I condemn the attack that took place in Manchester last night in the strongest possible terms, and extend my deepest sympathies to the families of all involved. This shocking incident turned a concert which should have been a happy and joyous occasion, into one of horror, mourning and loss.
“Manchester is a city with a large Irish community, and our consular and diplomatic service is available to provide assistance. The Government has also extended its condolences and offered solidarity and support to the UK authorities.”
The Manchester Evening News says that in the wake of the attack, security has been stepped up at the Trafford Centre, another shopping centre in the city.
While there isn’t any specific threat, the centre owners said they are working closely with police and are also asking customers to let their security teams know if they see anything which causes them concern.
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr, will open a book of condolence for the victims of the tragedy at the concert in Manchester.
The public will be able to sign the book at The Mansion House, Dawson St on:
Lord Mayor Brendan Carr said:
I was horrified to hear about the attack at a concert for young children in Manchester last night. There has always been close ties between the cities of Dublin and Manchester and I am opening this book of condolence to let the people of Dublin express their sympathies to the families of those who died or were injured and to express our solidarity with the people of Manchester at this dark hour.
A book of condolence for Manchester attack victims has been opened in Clare, at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, County Clare during office hours (9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday).
Once closed, the book of condolence will be delivered to the Office of the Mayor of Greater Manchester, the Rt Hon Andy Burnham
George Osborne has shared this striking cartoon from the Evening Standard:
BREAKING:
ISIS is claiming responsibility for the Manchester Arena attack according to IS-linked news agency Amaq.
Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has released a statement to say the US is working “closely” with the British government.
Cork is opening a book of condolences in the foyer of County Hall this afternoon from 2.30pm. Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Séamus McGrath, will be there to add his signature.
Those who wish to contribute to a similar expression of sympathy in Dublin can do so from tomorrow at the Mansion House where Lord Mayor Brendan Carr will be opening a book of condolences.
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been giving a press conference in Edinburgh where she said that two Scottish teenagers have been declared missing in the aftermath of this “dreadful atrocity”.
Four people went to hospitals in Scotland after the attack and two have already been discharged.
The families of the two missing teenagers, meanwhile, are still looking for information.
AFP reports that in the Islamic State group’s statement today which claimed responsibility for the Manchester attack, it claimed ”one of the caliphate’s soldiers placed bombs among the crowds,” and it threatened more attacks.
The group’s self-styled news agency Amaq separately claimed “a security squad” carried out the attack.
The outpouring of grief in Manchester is only going to intensify – an eight-year-old girl has been confirmed as one of the victims.
Saffie Rose Roussos from Leyland, near Preston is among the 22 people killed at the Manchester Arena last night. She was named by Lancashire County Council, in northwest England.
She was a pupil at Tarleton Primary School and one of her teachers said she was “loved by everyone”.
Her photograph had been circulated on social media today as her family tried to locate her.
The Associated Press has quoted a UK ambulance official who has confirmed that of the 59 people injured in the attack, 12 of these are under the age of 16.
Police in Greater Manchester have been acting quickly on all information and have just carried out a controlled explosion in Fallowfield “as part of the investigation into last night’s horrific attack at the Manchester Arena”.
They made an arrest in Fallowfield and also in Whalley Range, which lies just southwest of Manchester city. Fallowfield is also a suburb to the south of Manchester and has a large student population.
Theresa May and British Home Secretary Amber Rudd are in Manchester meeting with investigating officers.
Quotes from the medical director of the North West ambulance service, David Ratcliffe, go some way towards illustrating how devastating the bomb was – and how hard first responders had to work to save lives.
Sixty ambulances were dispatched to the scene from last night onwards with 59 patients sent to emergency departments in the area. Twelve were taken to the children’s hospital and nine taken to a nearby infirmary.
Friends and family have been paying tribute to a third victim of the attack. John Atkinson was in his 20s and had been undertaking health and social studies at Bury College.
His friends described him as a “beautiful soul”.
Police forensic investigators are combing through a property at a house in Elsmore Road in Greater Manchester, where the controlled explosion they carried out earlier today took place.
This is also believed to be close to where a 23-year-old man was arrested in relation to last night’s attack. The attack itself was carried out by a man who police believe they have identified and who died when he set off the explosion.
Theresa May has arrived at the children’s hospital in Manchester to meet patients. She has been trying to allay fears that other events and summer gatherings will be vulnerable to attack, telling reporters that police will be “looking at the security of venues” and that she is making sure resources are available to allow police to do this work.
This was a horrendous attack, absolutely horrific, barbaric in its nature, but what I’m also clear about is that we will not let the terrorists win.
Our values will prevail.
Manchester is also fighting back, with these posters appearing on buildings including the Arndale Shopping Centre which was evacuated in an earlier, unconnected, alert today.
Pope Francis sent a telegram to add his condolences to the victims and their families:
His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the barbaric attack in Manchester, and he expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this senseless act of violence. He commends the generous efforts of the emergency and security personnel, and offers the assurance of his prayers for the injured, and for all who have died. Mindful in a particular way of those children and young people who have lost their lives, and of their grieving families, Pope Francis invokes God’s blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation.
While Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been reiterating his horror at the atrocity in the Dáil this afternoon, and saying that our security forces are in close contact with the UK, gardai say that an attack here is not impossible.
Read more here.
Several opposition politicians have been voicing concern about Ireland’s preparedness to cope with an attack – or prevent one.
Independent TD Michael Healy Rae sent out a statement which claims that a constituent who is due to attend a Coldplay concert in Croke Park in July “is seriously considering not going”.
He said:
I think it is now time in Ireland that we wake up to the fact we are not exempt from such acts of terror, we must ensure that where we have organised public events such as concerts, matches etc that not only we have security at these events but we have our armed Gardai at these events as well as members of our defence forces, we must move away from the days where the only check done going into a concert is that for alcohol in women’s handbags.
Our political reporter Christina Finn reports from Leinster House that Fianna Fáil’s Michael McGrath was in Manchester at the weekend with his sons and came back late last night.
I’d like to express my deepest sympathies to the victims of the bombing in Manchester, it’s an abominable event. It really is impossible to get your head around what happened there last night.
I was in Manchester over the weekend as it happens with my own sons, just taking them to a football game as a Holy Communion treat. I came back late last night. And turned on the TV and learned what happened.
Walking the streets of Manchester yesterday, I certainly could not have imagined the horror that was going to be visited on the city and its people.
I just want to convey our deepest sympathies, we’re all very, very shocked and deeply saddened by what has happened.
It’s Christine Bohan here, taking over from my colleague Susan Daly. If you have any thoughts you want to share, you can leave them in the comments below, mail us at tips@thejournal.ie or tweet me @christinebohan
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he will be speaking with British Prime Minister Theresa May later this evening to offer the sympathy and support of the Irish people.
Speaking in the Dáil, the Taoiseach said that these “vile acts are a reminder of the depravity of the views held by the few”.
Enda Kenny said that both he and the Tánaiste have spoken with the Garda Commissioner, and the Cabinet has been briefed on events in Manchester.
“This atrocity is made all the more appalling by its deliberate targeting of young people and families – innocent victims – as they began to make their way home from the Manchester Arena,” he said.
“With this appalling act, an enjoyable night out was utterly transformed into a nightmare which has tragically seen 22 people lose their lives and left so many others injured”.
Here’s his statement in full:
BREAKING: British authorities have identified the suspected Manchester suicide bomber as Salman Abedi, US officials have said.
We’re waiting for more information about suspected bomber, now that he has been identified.
In the meantime, Poland’s Foreign Minister has said that a number of Polish people are missing in Manchester following the attack, but has not said how many.
The ministry said a short time ago that the Polish embassy in Manchester is in “constant touch with the families of Polish citizens missing”.
https://www.facebook.com/ManchesterEveningNews/videos/10154597799487060/
In one of the rare flashes of good news today, a fundraising appeal set up by the Manchester Evening News to support the families of those killed and injured in the attack has already raised more than £364,000 (€421,000).
Over 13,000 people have donated to the fund, which was set up earlier today and which is aiming to raise £500,000.
Ian Hopkins, the chief constable of the Greater Manchester Police, has tweeted that he and other colleagues from the force will be attending tonight’s vigil, which is due to start at 6pm.
Hopkins has been the public face of the police force over the course of today – he was the first officer to brief the media, shortly after 3 o’clock this morning.
There are still few details about Salman Abedi, the suspect in the bombing attack who has been identified by a US official.
Police raided a red-brick semi-detached house in Fallowfield in south Manchester earlier today and carried out a controlled explosion at the scene. From the Associated Press:
Neighbours said they had heard the bomber lived there, but most said they knew little about the inhabitants of the house, except that several people lived in it.
Neighbour Natalie Daley said she was frightened by a loud bang on Tuesday afternoon, followed by police yelling, “Get in your houses – get away from the windows”.
She said she was shaken by how close to home it was. “When it’s like two seconds from your house, when you walk past it every day, you do live in fear.”
Manchester Police have officially named the suspected attacker behind the bombing.
In a brief statement to the media, chief constable Ian Hopkins confirmed that the suspect is 22-year-old Salman Abedi. However he said that Abedi has not yet been formally identified by the coroner, so police will not be commenting any further on him at this stage.
“The priority,” Hopkins said, “remains to establish whether he was acting alone or acting on behalf of a wider network”.
Here’s what else Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said when he spoke to the media just now.
He told reporters that the names of victims will be released “once the families are ready”. Three out of the 22 victims have been named so far.
“There has been much speculation [about] names of those who may have been killed in the media and social media,” he said.
“We accept that this is inevitable however we ask that people allow the police and coroner to release the names once the families are ready and appropriately supported.”
He also called for people in the city to stand together.
“We understand that feelings are very raw right now and people are bound to be looking for answers,” he said.
“However, now, more than ever, it is vital that our diverse communities in Greater Manchester stand together and do not tolerate hate.”
Our reporter Michelle Hennessy is at Albert Square in Manchester, where the vigil is due to start at 6pm, and says that there is a strong police presence in the area.
Crowds have been gathering over the past hour, and a large number of people are expected to turn out to remember the victims of last night’s attack.
More from Michelle:
A huge crowd has gathered for the vigil in Manchester this evening in a show of support for the victims and for the city itself.
Faith leaders from all the major religions are attending the service.
You can watch a live feed of the vigil here:
https://www.facebook.com/BuzzFeedUKNews/videos/971948052941662/
A minute’s silence is being held at the vigil. The speaker asks people to “hold up” their feelings and “pledge ourselves silently to be, to build, that Manchester”.
During the minute’s silence, a number of people in the crowd are holding up signs saying “I <3 MCR”, which have appeared across Greater Manchester across today.
The minute’s silence ends with sustained applause from the assembled crowd.
A candle is now being lit on the stadium.
The speaker urges people to stay in Albert Square for as long as they want after the vigil ends, but calls on them to then return to their homes, their schools, their places to work and to help to rebuild Manchester.
The crowd has spontaneously burst into a chant of “Man-ches-ter! Man-ches-ter!” as the vigil ends.
Here’s the minute’s silence in the square:
That fundraising appeal we mentioned earlier which was set up by the Manchester Evening News has now hit £500,000 (€579,000) – and is still going.
Rome will turn off the lights of the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and city hall to honor the victims of the Manchester bomb attack.
Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini tweeted that the ancient arena’s lights would be turned off at midnight tonight, just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris will do at that hour.
Italian officials said the gesture is a sign of “condolence and closeness to the victims of the tragedy, their families and the city of Manchester.”
There will be a minute’s silence before Manchester United plays Ajax in the Europa League final on Wednesday as a mark of respect for victims of the bombing in Manchester.
UEFA says “the opening ceremony will also be considerably reduced” in Stockholm after Monday’s attack.
Manchester United players observed a minute’s silence for the victims at a morning training session on Tuesday before flying to Sweden.
Ajax coach Peter Bosz says the final doesn’t have this glow that it should have” because of the attack.
Bosz said: “Tomorrow evening should be a feast. But because of the events in Manchester, we are all affected.”
These PA photographs show people who were at the vigil holding “I <3 Manchester” signs.
The Guardian reports that police have recovered CCTV footage of the bomber walking into the Manchester Arena with a bag which is believed to have contained the explosive device.
The device, according to reporter Vikram Dodd, was homemade and crude, but stable enough to be transported to the venue.
We’re going to close this liveblog now, but our coverage will continue across the site for the rest of the evening where we will be tracking all the breaking developments.
If you have any thoughts or comments, get in touch: mail tips@thejournal.ie or tweet us @thejournal_ie. Thanks for reading.
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Most of the people attending that concert would’ve been young girls,so sad
@Jamie: Lovely another Islamic terrorist attack. Sure life goes on and Islam continues to blow up people. while the left just makes excuses for them and instead focuses on removely of the Catholic church. Absolutely disgusting.
@Ladude: @Ladude: so your shamelessly use the occasion of a terror attack to simultaneously attack the “left” and associate them with Islamic terrorise and at the same time plead the case to lessen the terrible persecution of the Catholic Church, in what remains one of the most Catholic countries in Europe. Utterly without shane and entirely self serving. Can you wait a few days before using other people’s grief for political purposes?
@Ladude: Dont ya know you can’t be saying things like that? The PC brigade will be along any minute now to call ya a racist. Its fine about the catholic church…you can work away on it. People need to cop on and stop letting these left-wing bullies stop us from demanding everyone who comes into this country and Europe has a bloody good reason for doing so and if anyone poses a risk they are imprisoned or removed. We have or at least had an Isis recruiter in this country who we couldn’t deport……i mean cop on people.
@Darren Mccarthy: Britain is playing a major roll im bombimg the middle east for last 2 decades. Unfortunately these isis dicks! Are going use this as there motivation to bomb English cities. I lived there and some of the Muslims openly talk like this.
@Darren Mccarthy: but Darren 90% of the time the people who carry out these attacks are born in that country how do you prevent that?
@why not: Im well away of what happens in the Middle East as i have lived there. What im talking about is the importing of thousands of ISIS terrorists into Europe without any questions or security checks, not even any I.D. Any even when we find them its a struggle to get rid of them….i mean you have Europeans going to Syria fighting and flying back no questions asked. Its madness. Tighten up on Europes borders….
@John R: well I can safely say it wasn’t the Buddhist s who committed this act
Time for extreme vetting tighting up borders
@Jamie: Somwhy are they arresting every return fighter then? Many of whom are in prison in Turkey. What do you mean by thousands of isis fighters are being imported into Europe? You wouldn’t be referring to refugees now would you?
@Jamie: You simply cannot do anything to stop it really. If we could, it would have stopped by now.
@stouts odds are the attacker will have been born and bred in the UK. The person who carried this out was mentally unstable and that’s what should be focused on – giving him/her any credence only empowers organisations like ISIS. I mean who seriously with any remote semblance of sanity would believe there are a hundred virgins waiting for you once you massacre children at a music concert where they were having fun?
@Jamie: That shows you that multiculturalism isn’t working in its current form. So what can we expect from the offspring of the millions that just walked into Europe without so much as an ID?
@Darren Mccarthy: I’ll bet you a tenner this person was not taken in to Britain without checks. This person was almost definitely born here. How exactly do you prevent that? I despise radical Islam but knee jerk alienation of ALL Muslims especially the ones here in Britain already is clearly going to make matters worse. Do you think persecution is going to cause introspection? I fcking course it won’t.
@Ed Magnier: They have infuriated the genuine refugees. Already some of the attacks committed in Europe were by returned fighters and failed asylum seekers and indeed people posing as refugees.
It’s not about being soft it’s that knowing that raking a hard stance on all Muslims will DEFINITELY lead to more violence. But having said all this, the Muslim community needs to do a lot more to uproot this evil and… they do not.
@why not: I’m sorry but thats not their main motivation – a listen to this Podcast will be enlightening: https://www.samharris.org/podcast/item/what-do-jihadists-really-want
@Old Gabby: Them being born in the UK just shows how insidious this ideology is and how the softly-softly, whateveryou’rehavinyourself style of intergration just doesn’t work- it creates parallel societies which are proving to be detimental for the cohesion in wider society as a whole.
@Titus: I would agree however the parallel society approach to multi-culturalism in the UK has failed, as it has in France and Sweden (IMO). It likely will turn out to be a homegrown radical – that said, importing large numbers of people from parts of the world with problematic, to downright lunatic culture/ideology does nothing to help the current problem. Also, its worth noting that in a recent survey by Trevor Philips (who is creditted with popularising the term Islamaphobia, btw) 34% of UK muslims said they would not report someone they suspected of planning to carry out a terror attack.
@remy – yeah i am – because who in their right mind would do something like this? – i would think anyone who believes the hogwash that they believe is not a rational thinking human being. Why the double question marks did you not understand what i wrote?
@Titus Groan: Time will tell. I don’t for one minute douth that more than 99% of the world population of Muslims are good decent hard working people, loyal to their home countries.I absolutely believe in helping resettle genuine refugees but i think the system is too lask. Moving from country to country with no I.D. failed asylum seekers not being deported. To answer your point on this animal who carried out the attack getting checked before entering the UK. Possibly if he entered legally. If he is homegrown then he was radicalized somewhere and by someone…..
@plusprom – well i don’t know what intergration is but i do know that integration has been successful for years in the US, and the UK and most of Europe. The percentage of terrorist attacks has DECREASED since the year 2001 not increased. The only difference today we have social media and 24 hour news to keep us afraid of the foreigns.
@plusprom: By the way since the start of May there have been 1063 civilians killed in Iraq… you won’t read about that though.
@Plus Prom: Look I’m very much on the left but I’m not an idiot… there is a problem with radical Islam and as I said, the Muslim community don’t do enough to tackle it. I am skeptical of their want TO tackle it. That said, it’s not as simple as people coming here to Britain and blowing us up. It’s incredibly complicated and European and American imperialism has definitely helped this happen. There’s no logical way around that.
@Darren Mccarthy: He is very likely homegrown and who knows? Maybe he’s very likely been a victim of discrimination or his family victims of imperialism. The thing is, those are shite excuses to blow people up. There’s no question about that. My issue is, how do you prevent it? You won’t prevent it by doing the thing that likely gave him his motivations in the first place. Is it pandering? Maybe. But there is no way solving this involves labelling large groups of people.
@Titus Groan: I see your point and agree with alot of what you say. My point is only that i honestly believe one way to decrese the chances of these attacks is to tighten our borders and halt the movement of anyone who we can’t identify and clear as a threat. Its not ideal but we are dealing with the largest movement of people without any ID since WW2. Like it or not the wolves are hiding amoung the sheep. And these wolves kill sheep from every colour and creed.
@remy – mandate? what are you on about you tart. People believe what they want to believe – millions read the koran and don’t blow people up. Catcher in the rye has been known to cause mentally unstable people to do terrible things as has the bible… so no i don’t think the koran is particularly dangerous. I think stupid impressionable people whether they are christian or muslim are far more dangerous.
Off topic
The last people to bomb Manchester were “Irish” terrorists.
They certainly did not speak in the name of Ireland.
Manchester will overcome and destroy these subhuman terrorists, just like they have done so in the past.
Horrific attack. RIP to the deceased.
@Diarmuid: Is that another way of saying its nothing to do with Islam? Manchester will change, and continue to do so – armed police will become a common sight on the streets, public events will have a higher security level.
just like the IRA vermin before, these evil terrorists will achieve absolutely nothing. There should be immediate hanging for anything terrorist related
@Jamie: well said, if that subhuman draped himself in an irish flag some of the pondlife on here would be calling him a ‘freedom fighter’.
@Ladude: what a knob you are , using an atrocity like this to show how stupid you are. One horrific attack on Manchester does not wash the dirty hands of the Catholic church. You absolute fool.
The “left” , do you even know what that means or stands for , obviously not . Anyway , trump the darling of the “right” just signed a 110 billion dollar deal with the saudis , the guys who funded 9/11 and are one of the most extreme muslim countries in the world. Whats the bet the stupid animal that carried out this savagery will be a british born dissafffected young idiot that blamed his sh&t life on the west . Whats your plan then genius ? Internment for all british muslims ?? Go back to watching fox there .
@Diarmuid:… Would you please stop using this awful tragedy to further your own sick political agenda?
It is obvious you and Booby Sandwiches (probably the same person) are bitter northern loyalists, but could you please stop…just for once…at this sad time…put aside your hatred and have a little respect for those that have lost their lives.
@Jamie: Dude, such a good reply. That’s it in like 100 words or less.
@Ladude it is disgusting, I agree but at the same time western states are bombing and killing innocents in the middle east and have been since The WOMD lie in Iraq in the 90s. Its since then that these awful attacks have happened in western europe. If this is to stop, we need real leaders to resolve all the conflicts around the globe that many have been feeding to this point and also they need to work to unite people, not divide them…this is the only way it will stop
@Jamie: Just false. These madmen want to kill infidel – geopolitics has less to do with it than you think. As I’ve said before – who did Bangladesh, East Timor or Sweden bomb?
If bombing ISIS brings terror attacks, what are you to do? Let ISIS determine your foreign policy through terror, and just let them run rampant? Taking young Kurdish girls as sex slaves? Raping and pillaging? Executing people for sorcery and apostasy? Attempt genocide?
I’m sorry – if you seriously believe that letting ISIS destroy the lives of millions across the Middle East is the solution instead of fighting them tooth and nail then you are not thinking straight.
The journal’s comments seem to be broken at the minute, the above comment should’ve been addressed to Nigel
@Jamie: Excellent point. Its alarming how ladude has got so many thumbs up for such a vicious post.
@Jamie: Or who believes a man like Jesus who said the Old Testament was from God and infallible despite knowing how vicious its commands were is to be worshipped. The fact remains that thinking it is all-good for God to murder people is only a hairs breadth away from thinking he wants you to murder.
@Jamie: The fact remains that if believers in religion get more doubts they are less likely to be bigoted or enable terrorists.
@Nigel O’Neill, how can you unite Europe when some of these so called refugees are spilling into the EU spreading they’re hatred in the name of extremist Islamic views. This hatred for the West will never end because these filthy vermin extremists are being defended by open border politicians and left wing NGO’s support of multiculturalism
@Titus Groan: The way to stop this is to answer a few questions first. Where does the message of the following occur.
1. White Girls are trash.
2. The west is your enemy.
3. Killing yourself in the name of religion will be rewarded.
4. Female Genital mutilation is a must.
Etc etc. Where did this message come from? Identify people and locations delivering this message and close, jail , or deport.
NO more integration, you may come here, you may work here and your children the same and on and on, but you are NEVER a full citizen. Thus in the face of any kind on infraction of the law you are deported no matter where you are born.
THERE is NO future for the West if apologists continue to accept the demands of Bullshit ideologies as a given in OUR societies.
NO More.
In all fairness, I don’t think Islam is blowing up people. People are blowing up people.
To call this person or people ‘animals’ is doing an injustice to the animals that walk the face of this earth. No other animal just kills to kill, these people who carry out these attacks are the lowest of the low.
@Stephen Duggan: it may be a moot point but foxes are known to kill just to kill
@Stephen Duggan:** Religion of peace **
@Steve Austin: the same religion as the bulk of the taxi drivers who gave free lifts to those at the concert ?
@Stephen Duggan: Jihadists, not ordinary Muslims.
@Stephen Duggan: But supported by ordinary Muslims the world over. They hate pop music they hate freedom for young women and girls. The see concerts as evil, does it surprise you that some of them go to these levels when their religion “of peace” pushes them 90 % of the way to it???
Sickening apologists for a bronze age hate cult will be trampling on the bodies of these poor children.
@Niall Connery: did you ask each taxi driver if they were religious and if they were, what one they followed? Fair play if you did….
@John Byrne: and cats
@John Byrne: you’re a sharp one john. No flies on you
Oh yeah Tony , the IS fundraiser in Waterford says he was a ‘ good muslim’ when he was collecting for IS , I wonder who he collected from ?
@Stephen Duggan: how original Steve did you think that up all by yourself?
@Niall Connery: will you stop with the PC crap
@Niall Connery: He has a point.
@Stephen Duggan: You’ve obviously never met a Muslim if you believe all muslims hate concerts and most support Isis
@james cullen: PC to say that not all Muslims are suicide bombers ?
@John Byrne: muppet
@John Byrne: John Byrne, could you please feck off and pick another time to be a pedantic know it all. RIP
@John Byrne: Dumb point.
@Tony Daly: The point is, that jihad is not a fringe belief in Islam. While most Muslims are decent law abiding citizens, it’s hard to religiously criticize a belief that is embedded in the religion.
@Niall Connery: but all suicide bombers are…
immediate hanging for all terrorist and their supporters would be a good way to start to deal with this problem
@Ger Healy: no
Niall Connery So you even know the religion of the taxi drivers, that’s amazing.
Let me guess, this has nothing to do with islam and this was the work of a lone wolf?
Mr. Tariq, please advise.
Tariq , Grainne and his other selves are considering an appropriate excuse for Islamic Terrorism
@Termaz Fx: absolutely nothing. quite
@Termaz Fx: Lone wolves usually use knives, vehicles or assault rifles, as this is a detonated device and apparent suicide bombing, the modus operandi would indicate an ISIS-inspired attack, which was planned by more than one person. As always, we await the police reports before speculating too much. This tragic murder of innocent people is hardly an occasion for snide remarks and point-scoring, no matter how much delight some people draw from it. A sense of decorum wouldn’t go amiss.
@Tariq
How come when I try and reply to your comment it comes up as “@Termaz Fx”?
Are you having conversations with yourself via your multiple accounts again?
You wouldn’t recognise a sense of decorum if it bit you in the arse.
@Termaz Fx: your symbol and previous comments speak volumes about your attitude and views.
Avina. It’s his way of getting the right response to the wrong comment, so confusing the issue. Also it appears that when you respond to others Termaz also comes up. Makes you wonder if it isn’t someone at the journal
@Termaz Fx: tariq go home
@Elizabeth Gregory: “Tariq” is not a Muslim. He’s a gimp from limerick
@Avina Laaf: It could indicate an inability to reply to the correct comment.
@Termaz Fx: “nothing to do with islam” – pretty much white extremist did it, just to polarize society in UK to be clear. Islam is a Religion of Peace !
My understanding of music over my 56 years on this planet, is all about love, compassion, inclusiveness, injustices in life and hope. Music brings people together. It makes people happy and sometimes sad. I have rarely found a link, to cause of war or jihad. Young children and parents lost their life’s or were seriously injured for the sake of a possible terrorist link (according to Manchester Police). These children rarely watch news in their early life. They listen to music, play video games, play sport. What on earth did they do wrong. Children are the future and my experience with the future reconciliations are achieved, eventually. I have no idea how terrorists or government leaders think, but the killing of innocent children and parents in all walks of life is wrong. Dialogue wins.
@Kieran Farrell: See what happens when you think you’re right .
Kieren we live in a lovely country , how can you protect your kids ?
@Ken Hayden: In these situations it is impossible to protect children. It is impossible to protect ourselves. But, as long as another man, woman and child dies in these circumstances, the cycle continues. I have only offered one word and that is dialogue. By bombing in retaliation in the Middle East, we will continue to see more atrocities. Last night was a music event for mostly children. As for the person that detonated that bomb, I cannot articulate the most horrible words to describe his/her actions. In the words of a song that was performed at Live Aid in 1985 “Is This The World We Created”, performed by Brian May and Freddie Mercury, seems to sum up these horrible times we live in.
@Kieran Farrell: Inclusive? Compassion? you seem to have missed punk, death metal, white power, to name but a few
@George Salter: Correct, but I did say rarely. I was putting across the popular belief in what music is about. I think the children and parents that were at last nights concert were there for all of what I said above. Your list of music was never my bag although I was at that impressionable age when punk happened.
@Kieran Farrell: Fair enough. I wasn’t trolling I hope. I’ve recently been assessed as mild aspergers so sometimes come across wrong. hope that that’s ok.
@George Salter: George, you are a top man to reveal that. No offence. I wish you well.
Thanks
Welcome refugees though…
@Gerry Adams: it probably wasn’t a refugee
@Oscar Brophy:
It probably wasn’t a 20th generation Englishman either.
@Avina Laaf: The person who committed this heinous atrocity probably can’t trace their lineage back to the magna carta, but could very well have been born, educated, converted and radicalized there. Turning attention to recent refugees is diverting attention away from the real source of the problem
@Anne Marie Devlin:
If this turns out to be an islamic attack (and it’s looking pretty likely at this point) the perpetrator is likely to be a first, second, or possibly third generation immigrant.
Inmigrants’ failure to integrate into western society is the ultimate cause. We can blame whoever we like for that, but it’s hard to deny.
@Avina Laaf: how many y stabbings and murders have 20th generation Englishmen committed against their own in the last year. One lunatic is no different than another when raised in hate filled surroundings
@ChuckE:
Actually I think a lunatic who sets out to kill as many innocent kids as possible is very different from a lunatic that kills someone else in a knife fight.
@Avina Laaf: The Mayor of London is 2nd generation Pakistani Muslim, how’s that for integration? Blaming refugees for this attack is pure ignorance and xenophobia.
@Tariq:
Of course many many muslims have integrated well. The point is that many have not. The evidence of that is plain to see (in all but the wilfully blind) in the identities of the terror attackers in Brussels, Paris, etc. etc. etc..
As I was at pains to point out in my earlier comment, there could be many factors involved in the failure of these individuals to integrate into western society, but let’s not pretend it isn’t a problem.
Rent – he also said “moderate Muslims are Uncle Toms”. Check YouTube
@Avina Laaf: Why when I try to reply to you, is it showing up as Gerry Adams?
@Avina Laaf: There is an integration problem and many would – be terrorists capitalise on this issue and radicalize these people.
@Gerry Adams: Yes and we keep fishing them out of the sea off Italy
@Gerry Adams: yes it was probably one of those polish, you know the ones who carry out the non existent terror attacks in warsaw…
reason why UK left Europe
Now they will police their ports to their own tune
@Quentin Moriarty: that horse has bolted. Their main problem is within their borders
@Quentin Moriarty: No it’s not.
This has to be the final straw. The majority of the people going to that concert would of been young kids. There needs to be a cull of these sick bast$$ds
@Shane Harris:
What are you saying?
We need to respond to indiscriminate, senseless, abhorrent, disgusting killing with ….what……..indiscriminate, senseless, abhorrent killing?
@Brinster: how would be senseless these people don’t deserve to live when they think it’s ok to murder innocent children
@Shane Harris: there are 1,000s of terror suspects in the UK, its too late now the horse is long bolted.
@Shane Harris:
Its been proven scientifically that Poland would have even less than zero terror attacks if only they tore down their fences and hugged people better
What an awful and horrendous tragedy. What a vile and evil thing to do to take innocent lives but that is the technique and objective of terrorism.
Britain has been highly effective in preventing terrorist attacks but some will get through the net.
How did the apparent suicide bomber get through the net and into the venue with explosives? Was there a security lapse?
@Tony Daly: sounds like he didn’t try to get in and detonated outside at the ticket office. Probably strapped the bomb or small bag. How do you defend against that is the question.
Senseless violence against innocent people. Again. What is expected now of everyone identifying with the Muslim community in Britain is to show open solidarity with all the victims families and to come forward to aid the police in their investigation. The public needs to see unambiguous condemnation of atrocities like this one from all non-radical Muslims. Somehow however, I don’t think that will happen in any significant measure… will it? And therein is the rub.
Governments and the idiot electorate of the EU countries (ordinary people) have just as much blood on their hands as anyone as we voted for this! Now we’ve got a holy war in Europe. My sincere sympathies for the poor families of that barbaric attack on our society.
@Virtual Architect:
I didn’t vote for this and I find it hugely offensive that you think I have as much blood on my hands as the skvm that set out to bomb a music concert attended mostly by kids.
@Virtual Architect: excuse me? Stop kidnapping this for your own racist views. Intrusion by foreign powers in the Middle East caused the birth of ISIS and they continue to attack the countries mostly at war with them. They hate our freedom and way of life but it’s people like you who are trying to let them win. Well done.
@Virtual Architect: @ deborah behan .
Are you for real ? so those girls who were killed tonight ., if their parents hadn’t been part of the big ”whatever” they would have been spared , but because their parents forced them into watching Ariana Grande , they deserved to die
@Avina Laaf: Stop trying to justify the unjustifiable. My children live in less safe less free world because of the stupidity of people who watch and read the “news” and believe anything they’re told by the new high priests of “truth”. Stop digging the hole you’re standing in. Grow up. Wake up.
@Deborah Behan: I want peace in my society. Shame on you for doing exactly what you’re accusing me of. Shame on you.
@Virtual Architect:
I sincerely hope you’re trying to be sarcastic.
Just confirmed death toll is 22 my prayers are with there families
Devastating news and I hope for the best for the injured
@Paul Lane: Attacks in April 2017 165, killed 1336, injured 946, suicide blasts 30, in 25 countries…..30862 attacks since 9/11
https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/attacks/attacks.aspx?Yr=Last30
This happens on the day the US sold $100 million worth of weapons and explosives to the Saudi sponsors of fundamentalist Islam. Is anybody joining the dots?
@Bramley Hawthorne: I think you’re joining dots on different pages of the same colouring book
@Bramley Hawthorne: What dots ?
It’s fundamental Islam , what more do you want , chalk on a church ;
Who the f@ck kills kids like this , don’t try make excuses
@Bramley Hawthorne: that’s right Bramley. Trump signs an arms deal with saudi, so the I.S 7th century dwelling simpletons kill young girls at a concert in Manchester.
@Bramley Hawthorne: ” US sold $100 million worth of weapons and explosives to the Saudi sponsors” – Obama and Democrats did it for last 8 years and you were happy like a monkey with that…?
@Bramley Hawthorne: Its actually 110 billion enough to wipe out the shia’s and then probably the jews.
Poland has had zero terror attacks in the past 20 years.
We need to learn from them whatever they are doing.
@Owen Martin: Poland cannot get enough crisis actors
Stop quoting unconfirmed reports for clicks. “Reports from the US unconfirmed locally”. Seriously?
@Shane Gleeson:
Yes, best not report anything whatsoever until the official investigation report is published some time next year… Seriously??
It’s not the lads fault. He was probably radicalised by Trump & Brexit or the witch Theresa May. It can’t be the fault of religion, it only is when you can blame the Catholic Church. The people of Britain now must vote for Jeremy Corbyn now to protect them.
@DPentony: exactly! This is trump, brexit and Russia to blame for this.
@Mark Mcloughlin: Yeah forgot about Russia as well.
If there cannot be enough and effective security at such concerts so as to prevent such terrorist attacks, consideration should be given to not holding concerts whilst the terrorist risk continues.
I’m unconvinced that multi billion arms deals or military action will help to prevent terrorism. It may exacerbate the hatred and the anger which motivates the terrorist attacks.
Has ISIS claimed responsibility?
@Tony Daly:
Changing our way of life is exactly what the terrorists want – I for one will never let that happen.
@Tony Daly: Sorry Tony, but that would be giving into fear and terror, and would be exactly what these fanatics want, you see already the hysteria that’s being spewed in the comments here, imagine those when you cancel all concerts, football matches, or anything with a crowd of more than 10 people, just because you fear there may be a terrorist attack
@Tony Daly: what?
Allowing hordes of followers of this cult into Europe certainly doesn’t help , we can expect the same at Soccer matches etc , in Medieval Europe walls were used to keep your enemies out these days our open borders are allowing Medievalism into Europe
@Tony Daly: Are you for real ? there’s 20,000 screaming girls who want to see Miss Grande , so they are going to stop every one of them , for what reason ?
Ok , because some religious nut believes these kids shouldn’t enjoy themselves . And then proceeds to kill them , you tell me who’s wrong .
@Tony Daly: nine morons agreed with this stupid “ban music performances” comment. Moron
Tony, allow me to illustrate Islam for you:
A venomous scorpion was waiting beside a fast flowing river. A horse happened by and the scorpion said to the horse- “please help me cross this river”- the horse replied-”surely, if I let you get on my back, you will sting me and I will die”- but the scorpion said- “I won’t do that dear horse I promise, besides if you die I should drown too”- The horse found this logic sound enough and allowed the scorpion to crawl on his back and they began to cross the river. While in the deepest part of the river, the scorpion stung the horse. The horse cried out -”why… why have you stung me.. we will both die scorpion!”- to which the scorpion replied:-”but… it is my nature”.
Arguably, you could of course say that the horse should have known better.
@Tony Daly: Is that not what Islam wants too just saying. We are supposed to change our way to accomidate their beliefs
Even after this you will get people saying it’s not all of them. When will people realise there is a war on us in the West.
Dear god what a fu€king horrible world we live in, killing children ffs, rot in hell you b@stards
@John Murray: Governments of Europe and their sheepish idiot electorates.
@John Murray: Poland gets tough with Merkel on immigration – alongside Hungary and Slovakia:
https://www.rt.com/news/389249-poland-merkel-refugee-crisis/
@John Murray: BS. Go live there for a year and you’ll think your statement over.
@John Murray: BS. Go live there for a year and you’ll think your statement over.
This horror has been years in the making. In the Middle East Christians & other minorities have been suffering this for years. A holocaust that has gone almost completely ignored by the mainstream media.
Western leaders turned a blind eye to ISIS in Syria. For them taking down President Assad was a greater priority while ISIS grew in strength.
Western media play a significant role in this as well. They were in denial and deceived the public for years. They only ever attacked Christianity, while playing down the crimes of Islamic fundamentalism at every turn.
Well its all come home to roost for them now.
@Zoe Daly: Coming home to roost for them? What do you mean by “them”? Are you on another planet watching on TV? You’re part of the world so it’s everyone this is affecting not just “western media”….wake up, it’s all of us this is targeted at, they don’t just reserve the bombs for politicians and journalists, there’s one for everyone in the audience.
@Zoe Daly: ISIS needs funds and weapons. They receive support from Sunni Saudi, Qatar. They have been selling oil thru Turkey to fund not only their Jihad in Iraq and Syria but fund their wider political ambition to spread Islam around the world using the power of Social Media and the internet (Would not have been possible before this tech-age) to win supporters for perpetrating crimes against the infidels, after all if you do not convert they should kill you at least according to the Quaran. Anyone who warned of the dangers of Merkel’s lunatic policy was branded a rascist and a NAZi. Most of the SJW bleeding heart liberals including the media seemed to have lost their senses over the past few years and managed to not see, and deliberately obfiscate what was at least entirely obvious to me. The media seems to deliberately not report objectively and just follow a narrative rolled out from the U.S. and certain politicians in the EU. For example where are the stories about the Saudi bombing of Yemen and all the people killed there?
We did warn you.
@Zoe Daly: what does Merkel have to do with a British citizen blowing people up in Manchester in the name of a lunatic terrorist organization from the Middle East?
Seems inappropriate for Lib Dem political party to be asking for donations for their ‘fighting’ fund in the U.K. Towards the election. Why are they advertising on an Irish site in any case?
@Gillian Weir Scully: A lot of Irish people and people living in Ireland can vote actually, people who’ve worked in the UK in the last few years and their kids. I imagine we’d be a good source of anti-Tory votes here
Lot of very disappointed on here now that the balloon argument has gone out the window. Time to go back into hiding for the apologists..
Very sad news this morning and thoughts to all the families of the victims but I agree with @Tony Daly. If someone had enough explosives on his person to kill 22 young people, it represents a large security breach. He must have been carrying a rucksack or something even larger. No doubt things will become clearer in due course.
@saoirse janneau:
It was at the end of the concert when the doors were open and people were streaming out. If it wasn’t just inside the doors in the foyer it could just as easily have been just outside the doors and would have done almost as much damage.
@saoirse janneau: Agree it would appear he may have come into the foyer after the concert finished where there would be less security
@saoirse janneau: I dunno. The pit of a nuclear weapon is the size of a grapefruit…
Please explain how the Irish can justify condemning the entire Catholic Church over a minority of rogue priests and nuns, but can find no fault with Islam when it has spawned and blindly turned its back to so much violence?
@Michael Burke: The Government finds fault with the Church, because leaders of the Church and the Church itself attempted to cover up the crimes committed by their clergy.
It is not a representation of Catholics, much as this is not a representation of the majority of Muslims. Religion across all spectrums has it’s bad eggs.
@Michael Burke: If a religious entity such as a hierarchy or order shows a tendency above the norm to condone or enable or engage in violence or sex abuse there is something wrong in the faith itself. It is true that any group can have bad eggs but why are there no suicide bombers among the Mormons or Quakers? Something in the spirituality is leading to it. The evil holy books perhaps?
The mad thing is that there’s a very good chance some of the dead/injured were Muslim themselves.Whats the whole point in these despicable acts.I just don’t get why any human being would want to murder another due to their beliefs.
@Jim: the point is they don’t care, Muslims are killing Muslims in Middle East and Africa everyday. There is hard to even try to rationale their actions. Interesting is USA took about 10K refugees while being 300 million plus country and Europe have taken over 2 million refugees with likes of Germany about 1 million alone (50-60 million country)? All rich oil super powers in Middle East took none despite being Muslim countries. How come they don’t help? Is Europe some kind of dumping ground?
@Jim: Sure, they died in jihad, so are assured 72 houris (or raisins, depending on which translation you read…)
@Tomasz Kuchnik: looks like it
This is so sad, brought a tear to me eye. Innocent young people & children murdered & for what religion. Sick world we live in. While I appreciate that the vast majority of Muslims are hard working honest people I still think that their community has to take much greater responsibility in stopping this type of atrocity happening by reporting recruiters & hate preachers & people they think might be radicalised to the police. Sadly a large proportion of the Muslim community seem to be unwilling do this
My heart is truly broken this morning. What kind of animal targets young children? Hopefully this shows Muslims what kind of cowards these savages are.
@Deborah Behan:
The irony of that comment.
@Deborah Behan: A Fundanentalist muslim ?
It’s a sick sick sick world we live in. We had our first child last year and I don’t know if I could bear to bring another one into this world, so much worry for them. We’re going backwards on this planet.
Muslims are responsible for this evil just as much as Catholics were responsible for the Birmingham pub bombings.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: Bull”shit So the IRA went to mass every and took words out of the bible to justify their bloodshed and bombings NO
@sean o’dhubhghaill: Surely Muslims have full right to conquer us now, kill us and rub our goods same way our catholic ancestors did with their lands ages ago…
@Robert Preston: the people who carried out many of not most of the IRA atrocities would have called themselves Catholics. They clearly weren’t.
The people who carried out this atrocity (has anybody claimed responsibility yet?) may call themselves Muslim. They clearly are not.
ISIS have killed more Muslims than any other religion.
@cortisola:
What were the crusades a reaction to?
Amnesty International have gone into hiding.
I have to ask: will the media be as quick to show us images of the dead children from this attack as they were to show us images of dead or dying Syrian children? Or does the former not suit their agenda?
Ariana Grande in Glasnevin Cemetery Dublin on May 19th ..https://www.instagram.com/p/BUSpBuVFKLY/
Not only is the woman a super natural talent, not staged in the slightest, but she is also super intuitive. ..sensing death . May “22″ who would have thunk it? And at 10.”33″ pm no less…
Is that you Frank??
@raymond grehan: if she was that feckin intuitive do you not ‘thunk’ that she would have cancelled the concert ??
@raymond grehan: “22 Killed”
The Number “22″ in Freemasonry represents the “Master Builder”
@Frank: what happens to your theory if more die ?
@raymond grehan: dont allow thine eyes Stephen to deceive you.
http://www.indymedia.ie/attachments/jul2008/tavistock_bus.jpg
The “77″ London Bus bombing. The bus roof has been cut off with an angle grinder. This is no bomb.
@raymond grehan: Spot on Frank. It would be interesting to see CCTV footage ?
@raymond grehan: the roof was cut off by emergency personnel to help gain access the the victims.
@raymond grehan: They will have to pay more crisis actors
RIP little ones, my heart is very low and full of sadness today
Devastating News! RIP All of you. . My thoughts and prayers are with the families at this sad time xxx
Meanwhile in the Mediterranean the Irish Taxi service image bringing them to Europe by the boatload at the taxpayers expense… you couldn’t make this shit up…
World’s gone Mad those poor people at that Concert especially the kids they will never get over the shock of this My Heart goes out especially to all those families that lost someone Shocked xxx
All Muslims are the same.
Why are we not seeing Muslims marching in the thousands in the Uk against there S***bags ???
@ryan3939: I live in the UK and they are, just after the wake of the London attacks there were a number of marches and rallies organised by the Muslim community in Birmingham and they denounced these attacks and do time and time again.
Need proof? I have video evidence.
@ryan3939: 30000 out of how any muslims in the UK. A minority group for such a large numbers of muslims
@ryan3939: how many ‘Anti-IRA-Terrorism’ marches have you seen going down O’Connell St?
@ryan3939: If they did march would it be because they fear being killed themselves and is that all they worry about?
RIP, this has to be the final straw, Time for these animals to be wiped of the face of the planet. Cut the head off the snake at the source, they will fall apart. America and the UK and any other country with a decent army need to go into Syria and Iraq and finish this lot.
@….: It would also be nice if Turkey would not shoot down Russian fighter jets who went in there and pushed back on ISIL
Horrific attack on young women and gay men. Common targets for Isis!
This was a vile act which caused senseless pain and suffering. When will enough be enough? We need to find another approach to rooting out these cowards and removing them from our society.
Strange question though, where are all the superimposed union jacks?
If the UN security council members actually put their heads together they would sort this out in about a month. As for the radicalised youth they are just one part of the problem thats for the British, French, Belgiums, Germans and anyone else with large disaffected muslim populations. If the fighting and dislocation and mayhem and anarchy lessens in the Middle East so to will these dreadful attacks. People should really question their govts foreign policies more. Otherwise this endless war on innocent people will continue no matter were they are.
@Austin Rock:
so its the governments fault is it?
@Austin Rock: Its not the government’s foreign policy that is the problem it is the government’s reluctance to stand up to the threat of Islamic extremism for fear of being accused of being racist by left wing ngo’s and their supporters. The US was attacked before the war on terrorism
ugh ok so it was really not ok what happened but can we move on now? europe needs to learn to live with these occasional events remember the biggest victims of these unfortunate events is islam and innocent muslims who will be scrutinized and made to feel uncomfortable. we need to get on with our lives and leave things like this in the past
@James Russell:
I’m pretty sure the biggest victims are those that were killed (and their families), not a random muslim who feels uncomfortable when someone looks sideways at them.
Disgusting attack
sickening and disgusting coward to bomb a childrens concert.
My heart goes out to Muslims everywhere who will be treated with suspicion and scrutiny after this unfortunate incident. The responsibility for this attack has more to do with brexit and trump than it does to Islam.
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Am I the only one who has a major problem with the narrative of this story? Is there not an election in a couple of weeks? The mad witch wants to put “boots on the ground” in Syria ?
@Steve Egan: No she doesn’t your being a tw@t
More of Angela Merkals and her Globalists friend’s folly, coming to the UK. The slaughter of these young girls mostly, is outrageous, and show’s once again the need to close Europe’s border’s to the Allah brigade’s. They do not want to assimilate into Western culture freedom’s and way of life, they want to dominate and drag us back to the dark ages, with their fanatical religious nonsense, and their archaic Sharia laws. How many more PARIS, NICE BERLIN, STOCKHOLM, LONDON, AND NOW MANCHESTER ATROCITIES DO WE NEED BEFORE RADICAL ACTION IS TAKEN TO PREVENT THESE SUICIDE RELIGIOUS FANATIC’S TO WANDER AROUND EUROPE TO MURDER AND MAIM AT THEIR LEISURE.
I would blame Trump for that !
What is wrong with parents who brought 8&9 year olds to the ‘concert’ by that person are they crazy.?. So sorry for the whole episode. RIP to the unfortunate desd
What is wrong with parents allowing children of 8 or 9 years of age attend a concert of that nature let alone bringing them there. I feel so sorry for those children with nobody to guide them. Did those parents take a look at the way this Ariana was dressed.? Don’t think suitable for 8 year olds or maybe I am old fashioned. Anyway RIP to does unfortunates who lost their lives
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