THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR to Ireland has written a formal note of thanks to the Irish public for the good wishes, cards, letters – and even drawings from children – in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.
Jean-Pierre Thébault, sharing his letter with TheJournal.ie and other national publications, said that he felt a close bond between Ireland and France. He writes:
“The barbaric attacks aimed at making all of us fear, feel disoriented, disunited.”
This is his full letter of thanks:
Today as always, the people of Ireland stand united with the people of France.With thousands of messages of solidarity with France, the people of Ireland immediately reacted to the horror of the terrorist attacks in Paris.Thousands joined the French community in marches, gatherings, vigils in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick. From Ballina to Cavan, Dún Laoghaire, Waterford, Wexford, Longford, Kilkenny, Killarney, Portlaoise to name but a few, letters, cards – many in French – flowers, children drawings illustrated the deep bonds between our two countries, our people around shared values.
The barbaric attacks aimed at making all of us fear, feel disoriented, disunited.
Together with the people of France, the people of Ireland have sent a very clear response.
Not only shall we not be afraid but we are ready, each of us, to rise and stand in active support of freedom, in support of our journalists and policemen, to fight for the values that are core to our societies.
Your messages, the support of President Higgins, the presence of the Taoiseach at the helm of the republican march which gathered millions in Paris, the strong expression of solidarity by all the leaders of the parties in the Dáil Éireann during a solemn session, the moving mobilisation of the representatives of all faiths at the St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, they all express the particular depth of the relation between Ireland and France, our common belief in the values of liberty, equality, fraternity and our joint commitment for peace and tolerance.
Je vous remercie de tout mon coeur.
Jean-Pierre Thébault
Ambassador of France to Ireland
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