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Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Charlie Flanagan has condemned the attack on Ataturk Airport in Istanbul.

Speaking from Belfast, Minister Flanagan said:

I was deeply shocked and appalled to learn about the attack on Ataturk Airport in Istanbul.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I wholeheartedly condemn this barbaric attack on innocent airline passengers.

Ataturk Airport is a major international crossroads and this was an attack on the both the people of Turkey and on the whole international community. It shows the lengths to which extremists are prepared to go to inflict harm and reinforces the need for international cooperation to track down terrorists and to stop these kinds of attacks.

My thoughts are with those who have been killed or injured in this attack and with their families and friends, to whom I extend my deepest sympathies.

I will also be personally communicating my sympathies to my Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

There have been no reports of any Irish citizens being caught up in the attack. Anyone with concerns for Irish citizens please ring 01 408 2000 or Embassy Ankara on 00 90 312 459 1000.