President Mary McAleese has expressed her “shock and sadness” at the death of two Air Corps pilots who were killed when their training flight crashed in Co Mayo yesterday evening.
In a statement released late last night, Mrs McAleese offered her sympathies and said the “prayers of the nation” are with the families and colleagues of the two young men.
“This is a devastating loss for the Air Corps and the Defence Forces," she said. "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.”
The captain and cadet were manning a two-seater training plane that came down about five miles west of Cong village after 6pm. The Irish Timesunderstands the cadet under training was from Co Wexford while the other pilot was a senior instructor from the south Dublin area.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen also said he was shocked and saddened to learn of the crash. “My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two crew members who lost their lives.”
Mr Cowen said he had spoken to the Chief of Staff and extended his sympathies and those of the Government to the members of the Air Corps and the Defence Forces.
Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea expressed his “sincere condolences” to the men’s families. “They are in our thoughts and prayers.”
This morning Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny offered his “deepest and heartfelt” condolences to the families and said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the incident.
“On behalf of all in Fine Gael, I extend my most heartfelt sympathies to their families and friends at this most traumatic time," he said. "This terrible accident is a tragic reminder of the invaluable duties our pilots perform on our behalf in service to the State."
Labour’s spokesman on Defence Brian O’Shea expressed his “deepest sympathies” to the families.
“I hope that for the sake of the two pilots and their families that they determine the cause of this dreadful tragedy as soon as possible,” he said.
The association representing soldiers, sailors and air crew PDforra this afternoon expressed sympathy for the families and colleagues of the two Air Corps personnel.
"PDforra wishes to extend sincere sympathy to the families of the two Air Corps personnel who lost their lives in an air accident yesterday. We also wish to extend our sympathies to their colleagues in the Air Corp who will also be deeply affected by this sudden loss. Ar Dheis De go raibh a n-anamacha," the statement said.