We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
SECURITY HAS BEEN tightened around landmarks in New York City after the explosions which rocked the finish line of the Boston Marathon today.
Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD, Paul Browne, said in a statement:
We’re stepping up security at hotels and other prominent locations in the city through deployment of the NYPD’s critical response vehicles until more about the explosion is learned.
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg released a statement on his personal website, confirming that the police force had stepped up security at “strategic locations” and at major infrastructure points, including New York’s subway train system.
He said that citizens would notice Criticial Response Vehicles on the street and that one thousand NYPD officers had been assigned to “counter-terrorism duties” alongside the rest of the force. He also asked New Yorkers to “keep victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers”.
This photograph from Press Association shows a New Jersey State police helicopter fly by the construction site of One World Trade Center, as police forces began to secure the city following the news from Boston:
On alert in Times Square (pic via @clarerrrr):
Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama is preparing to make a statement at 23.10 (Irish time) on the explosions. This was the scene in the Oval Room a short time ago as he received information updates on the situation:
Pic: White House
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Fantastic to see so many humorous, witty and cheap-ass comments on here.
Meanwhile, my daughter lives in the affected region and I am actually afraid for her wellbeing.
Thanks for the usual ‘comments-section’ empathy, folks.
@Liam Doyle: there is always prayer also
@John Ruddy: It is the nature of Journal comments that there will always be a large number of comments looking for laughs and that is fine but there are also a lot of good comments also. Just grit your teeth and plow through responses when you have a genuine comment to make but others see it as an opportunity to grandstand for comic entertainment.
@Gerald Kelleher: I agree 100 per cent
@Liam Doyle: wow thats just mean. He’s talking about his daughter. Whatever happened to having a bit of respect and dignity?!
@John Ruddy, hopefully it’s only a warning and nothing materialises.
@John Ruddy: warning for Hawaii has just been cancelled if that eases your mind a bit..
“Hawaii is no longer considered at risk from a possible tsunami, the Pacific Warning Center says.”
@Gerald Kelleher: Totally agree. The Journal is a place for serious intellectual debate. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to discuss Paris Hilton’s friend, losing her dog.
@Liam Doyle: Duh
@?: To be fair I learned more about Irish society through the Journal comments than other sources, at least without being too swayed that this entirely represents society. It shows a society with a lot of heart despite the usual playful comments or the Oirish way of carrying on however the Journal has more than its fair share of socialist and gender issue comments and they are worth commenting on.
I also have kids in the affected area but knowing my son he would probably want to be down at the beach to see a tsunami than be scrambling for higher ground but I love him anyway.
@?: lol
@Matt Connolly:
But was there just a shift change over in Hawaii?
@Gerald Kelleher: ha, my brother would be packing his surf equipment
@John Ruddy: If it were my daughter I don’t think I’d (a) be spending time commenting on The Journal or (b) be looking for empathy from complete strangers on the Internet.
@Alt Right Crybaby: 100% agree, its weird that people dont realise that commenters are all strangers, i hope his daughter is fine obviously but it wont affect anybody here in reality.
@John Ruddy: ur right John.there’s a time and place for humour and this is not it.
@Joe Conlon: also, the comments won’t make a blind bit of a difference either way.
At least its not Hollywood thats going to get hit, how would we cope without them they are our moral leaders . lol
Have North Korea claimed responsibility yet?
@Patrick Kennedy: Apparently there’s rumblings.
Surf’s up
Very detectable on our own seismic network here in Ireland (2 stations at Dublin and Kerry). We had to call off some of our surveying work because the sensitive instruments were effected.
Dublin:
https://osas.dias.ie/drumplots/now-drum-EI.DSB..HHZ.D.png
Kerry:
https://osas.dias.ie/drumplots/now-drum-EI.VAL..HHZ.D.png
@Mr_Bumkee: Copy and paste the whole link if you want to see them. DIAS is the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies. Not a dodgy link :)
Tsunami warning has been cancelled in Vancouver.
Tsunami, from the ol English phrase meaning to be “suing amy”. Such a beautiful language
@Fandango Morgan:
The word tsunami comes from the Japanese language, means “harbour wave”
I hope they have a plan in place to deal with this because it appears so many countries do not have a plan in place for either natural or human disaster.
@Gillian Scully: yep – tuck your head between your knees, and kiss your a$$ goodbye.
Why are the US taking ir less seriously? They have more coastline in the area than Canada
Hopefully nothing happens
It was supposed to hit alaska 15 minutes ago and so far nothing.
Maybe somebody could die, so the smart comments can turn to r.i.p…..sarcasm is plentyful
@Terry Molloy: Sarcasm confuses stupid people
have your say