Flags flown at half mast to remember Orlando shooting victims

The Taoiseach confirmed the Irish flag will be flown at half mast at Government Buildings and Leinster House as a mark of respect.

By Órla Ryan Tuesday 14 Jun 2016, 9:15 AM

Jun 14th 2016, 9:15 AM 11,968 Views 117 Comments

http://jrnl.ie/2822703

IMG_5161 (1) Source: Christina Finn/TheJournal.ie

THE IRISH FLAG are being flown at half mast at Government Buildings and Leinster House in memory of the victims of the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Florida.

Some 49 people were killed, and more than 50 injured, at Pulse nightclub in Orlando – the worst mass shooting in US history.

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The tricolour is also flying at half mast at garda headquarters.

The Irish Flag flies at half mast over Garda Headquarters in support of those who died in Orlando, Florida. pic.twitter.com/f7QCav3apq
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) June 14, 2016

Source: Garda Info/Twitter

Vigils to honour the victims have been held across the world.

Thousands attended a vigil organised by gay rights organisations and LGBT support groups in Dublin yesterday evening.

Amazing show of solidarity here beside City Hall #Orlando pic.twitter.com/b7ULYj81qv
— Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride (@DublinPride) June 13, 2016

Source: Dublin LGBTQ Pride/Twitter

Meanwhile, a number of landmarks were lit up in rainbow colours, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, in a mark of solidarity with the LGBT community.

tower Source: Associated Press

Books of condolences are open in a number of locations, including at the Mansion House in Dublin.

The gunman responsible for the massacre, Omar Mateen, was a regular at the gay nightspot, according to US media reports.

FBI chief James Comey said he was “highly confident” Mateen had been “radicalised” while consuming online propaganda and that he had claimed allegiance to the so-called Islamic State during the attack.

Contains reporting from © AFP 2016

Note: Anyone feeling distressed in the wake of the attack can contact the National LGBT Helpline via www.lgbt.ie or 1890 929 539.

Read: Gay clubs are a sanctuary when being LGBT could get you killed

Read: Trump says Obama might ‘get the Orlando shooting better than anybody knows’

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Órla Ryan

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