Ireland this morning joined the world in observing a three-minute silence in memory of the victims of America's worst terrorist atrocity.
The Taoiseach and the President and the American ambassador joined other Church and political leaders in Dublin's Pro-Cathedral for an ecumenical service, presided over by Cardinal Desmond Connell.
Today is a National Day of Mourning with businesses, schools and State Departments shutting down. Transport companies are operating a Sunday service, and all trains came to a standstill at midday as a mark of respect.
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Businesses are closed
all over the State |
All State employees have been given the day off work to allow them attend commemorative ceremonies.
The Irish Times
decided yesterday it would not be publishing today.
All banks and building societies have closed along with the large retail chains such as Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Superquinn and Boots.
RGDATA, representing grocery stores, said some shops might open for a short period to provide essential services, but it expected most of the trade would shut for the day.
Dell, one of the biggest employers in IT sector, said some staff would be given the day off but those working on UK and European sales and support would be on duty.
An Intel spokesperson said most staff would not be working but that those directly related to production operations would. He said the company had held a minute's silence before each meeting since Tuesday and opening books of condolence.
"As an American company, we did not wait for Government direction" to mark the tragedy, he said.
Pubs and off-licences have been advised to close by their representative organisations. The Licenced Vintners' Association, the Vintners' Federation of Ireland and the National Off-licence Association have said they expected most members to shut down.
However, some family pubs have indicated they may open this evening or for pre-booked events.
Some hospitals are planning to scale down services and patients are advised to check locally as to whether appointments have been changed.
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Signing the book of condolence
outside the American Embassy in Dublin |
The Coombe Women's Hospital said it had cancelled all elective gynecological surgery, gynecological and paediatric outpatient appointments and parent craft services.
All Duchas heritage sites and cultural centres, including the National Museum, National Library and National Gallery, will shut.
Aer Rianta's three airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork will stay open. Retail and commercial outlets at the airports will close, but catering outlets will remain open.
Iarnród Éireann is operating a reduced train service. A Sunday service in in operation on the DART, Northern Suburban, Maynooth and Cork/Cobh lines. Heuston/Kildare Arrow services will not operate.
Full details of changes to schedules are available from Irish Rail at 1850-366222 or www.irishrail.ie.
Bus Éireann is also operating a Sunday timetable on Express way, local, city and town services. Further information from the company's travel line at (01) 8366111.
Dublin Bus, too, is operating a Sunday service. There will be no Nitelink service or city tours.
The barriers at the East-Link and West-Link bridges in Dublin will be raised until midnight, allowing free passage.
ESB said it would continue to carry out emergency fault repair work, but planned connection work has been deferred.
All Dublin Corporation premises will close. Refuse collections scheduled for today will take place tomorrow. Essential services will operate. The corporation's 24-hour emergency number is: (01) 6796186.
All court sittings have been cancelled, with the exception of Cloverhill District Court. All co-operative livestock marts have been called off.
Postal deliveries will be made and post offices will remain open until noon. Special arrangements have been introduced to allow people to collect their Social Welfare pensions either early today or tomorrow.
A number of events planned for today have also been cancelled, including the annual meeting of the Agriculture Science Association in Galway.
The Government said people can get information on the day of mourning from the Employment Rights Information Unit at lo-call 1890-201615 or 1890-220222, or (01) 6313131.
