President Higgins shocked at ‘appalling massacre of music lovers’

President Michael D Higgins has led expressions of sympathy following the mass shooting in Las Vegas.

“The appalling massacre of music lovers of different generations at a public event in Las Vegas will have shocked people all over the world,” Áras an Úachtaráin said in a statement.

"On behalf of the people of Ireland may I express my deepest sympathies to all those bereaved and affected by this brutal tragedy," said Mr Higgins, who commences a lengthy visit to Australia and New Zealand this week.

"Our thoughts in Ireland, and of the Irish in the United States, are with the people of Nevada and the United States at this tragic time."

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Other political leaders also expressed their sympathy at the news from the United States and their condemnation of the attack.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said it was "was a savage and brutal attack targeting innocent festival-goers".

“I wish to express my heartfelt condolences and those of the Irish people to the families of the victims, those who were injured, and to the people and the authorities of the United States on this tragic day,” Mr Coveney said.

The department added that it had no indications that any Irish citizens were caught up in the shooting, though it said that its Consulate in San Francisco, and the Honorary Consulate in Las Vegas was continuing to monitor the situation.

Innocent people

Fianna Fáil spokesman on foreign affairs Darragh O'Brien also sent his condolences. "This particularly brutal attack has resulted in the deaths of scores of innocent people and the injury of so many while enjoying a music festival. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms."

Sinn Féin’s leader in the North Michelle O’Neill also condemned the “brutal gun attack” in Las Vegas, and expressed sympathy with the families of those killed and injured.

She said she was “shocked at the sheer scale of the loss of life and the numbers of people seriously injured”.

“It is almost unthinkable that something like this could happen to people out enjoying a concert. My thoughts are with the families and friends of all those who have lost loved ones, and I wish those injured a full recovery.”