The Irish tricolour will fly at half mast in Christchurch today as a mark of respect to those who died at the mosque massacre. Many of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, due to take pla
Niamh HoranTwitterEmail
March 17 2019 2:30 AM
The Irish tricolour will fly at half mast in Christchurch today as a mark of respect to those who died at the mosque massacre. Many of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations, due to take place across New Zealand, are also being postponed and replaced by more subdued community gatherings.
But as the Muslim community mourn their loved ones, acts of charity, compassion and goodwill have begun to ripple out from the Irish community.
Irish Ambassador to New Zealand Peter Ryan said: „Traditionally, what is always the first St Patrick’s Day parade in the world, due to the time zone difference, will not take place. We want to be in line with how everyone feels here. The gatherings this weekend will be very subdued as the Irish community want to show their love and respect to the Muslim community in Christchurch.“
Mr Ryan, who described the local community as „stunned“, said: „A major St Patrick’s Day Mass will be held in Auckland and the Irish New Zealand society has reached out to the local Islamic centre to extend the hand of sympathy and friendship and to ask a representative from the centre to attend the service. That is being repeated in every Mass right across New Zealand this weekend.“
Meanwhile Kieran McErlain, President of Christchurch Irish Society, said social gatherings will still take place today – in an act of defiance against the mass killer. „There was a lot of soul searching after Friday. We had numerous discussions about whether we should close the doors or remain open.
„The decision was made to remain open and offer our support to the community so people come in and have a cuppa and a chat.
