As 1,000 people signed a book of condolence for the victims of the Beslan siege in Dublin yesterday, the Government anounced it was donating €100,000 to the Red Cross for aid to the families of the atrocity.
"The people of Ireland have been saddened by the horrific events. We have been profoundly affected by the loss of so many innocent children and all who lost their lives in this tragedy," the Minister of State for Development Co-operation and Human Rights, Mr Tom Kitt, said.
People queued yesterday outside the Russian Embassy in Orwell Road, Rathgar, to express their sorrow.
"To the little flowers of the earth," read a card attached to a white teddy bear, which Sarah McCabe (9) brought to the embassy. "I am so sad for the children in Russia," explained Sarah.
From noon people started arriving to express their sorrow. Flowers, candles, cards and toys were placed at the gates by sympathisers. From 2 p.m. mothers and fathers holding the hands of children enjoying their first week in primary school started to arrive.
Ms Clare Dooley, Walkinstown, arriving with her daughters Niamh (4) and Orna (11), said: "It is so sad. It is hard to think that anybody, no matter what the reason, could do something like this. I can't imagine what the families went through while waiting outside the school."
The Russian Ambassador to Ireland, Mr Vladimir Rakhmanin, met all who arrived. The events in Beslan have touched Irish people "deep in their hearts", he said.
"The scope of sympathy and compassion from the Irish people is really amazing. People are united in their total disgust and anger at the terrorists."
The book at the embassy will be open from 9 a.m. until noon and from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. today. A book of condolences has been opened in the Mansion House, Dawson Street. A book of condolence was also opened in Derry yesterday, in the reception area of the city's Guildhall.
Patsy McGarry, Religious Affairs Correspondent, adds:
The Primate, Archbishop Seán Brady, has expressed "heartfelt sympathy" over the loss of life in the Beslan school siege.
In a letter yesterday to Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of the Catholic Archdiocese of Moscow he said that, "after our happy meeting in Armagh last January, it is now with great sadness that I write to you on behalf of the Irish Bishops' Conference".
Dr Brady said he wished "to convey my heartfelt sympathy and support to you and your brother bishops, priests and to the people of Russia during these painful days ".
The taking of innocent life was "never acceptable and when the victims are involuntarily involved - and especially when they include children - such acts of violence are totally reprehensible and shocking".