The Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey, today called for a change of attitude towards the position of refugees.
Dr Brendan Comiskey - who directed prayers to be said at all masses for the victims of the incident - said he was appalled at the tragedy.
But he added: "It should not surprise anybody. It has been stated again and again that if we put up higher walls without looking at the desperate situation in which these people are living, we can expect more and more of this to happen.
"Obviously, when people are desperate, they simply go underground. The European legislation will have to be looked at.
"Europe is becoming known as Fortress Europe, instead of a family of nations.
"Today is one of enormous grief for those who treasure human life. People should look upon asylum seekers and refugees in their own areas in a new and Christian light."
Meanwhile, Peter O'Mahony, chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council, said: "These people see themselves as having no choice.
"We are talking of people who are absolutely desperate to leave their home countries fleeing oppression or persecution of whatever, and are finding it next to impossible to legitimately access safe countries.
"It means people resort to all sorts of measures. The awful thing is some people today will have heard about these deaths, but will still say they are going to take a chance because they have to get out of the country they are in."