Smith extends sympathies to familes of charlie hebdo massacre

Cavan’s Fianna Fail spokesperson for Foreign Affairs has spoken of his shock and sympathy for the families of the 12 people murdered in Paris today at the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
The massacre, reportedly carried out in retaliation for cartoons mocking the Prophet Muhammad, claimed the lives of 10 journalists at the magazine and two French policemen in a subsequent shoot-out outside the offices.
Vigils in solidarity for those assassinated at the office and for the two policemen are tonight being held all across Paris and other French cities.
At the time of writing the three men who carried out the murders are still at large and nationwide France is on high security alert.
“I cannot begin to convey the shock and sadness we all feel in the Fianna Fáil party on hearing the news today that 12 people have been murdered in Paris while simply going about their day’s work. It is a horrific act of the most barbaric kind and cannot be tolerated by any decent, right thinking people in society. France, like Ireland, has a proud republican tradition. Part of that proud tradition is the freedom of speech and expression, which democratic societies hold dear,” he said.
“It is my great hope that those responsible for this most heinous crime are found by the French authorities and brought to justice. We stand with France and its people on this very tragic day. Our Government should offer any assistance required by French in helping them find the perpetrators of this awful attack. I would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the families of those who have lost their lives. No words can soothe the great despair they must feel today.”