IRELAND: The Taoiseach has asked the organisers of major sporting events at the weekend to observe a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the Beslan attack.
Speaking at the Russian Embassy in Dublin on signing a book of condolence for victims of the atrocity, Mr Ahern said he had written to President Vladimir Putin "to express the condolences of the people of Ireland on the horrific events last week in Beslan.
"I told President Putin that the people of Ireland were horrified by the atrocity perpetrated against hundreds of defenceless children, parents and teachers in the town of Beslan.
"I believe that it would be appropriate that we in Ireland should reflect our horror at this outrage, and our solidarity with the victims, through taking time out over this weekend for a period of reflection or prayer, especially in the context of participation in religious services."