Tears and shock as Irish people remember US victims

They came in their hundreds. Since 7 a.m this morning people have queued outside the US Embassy in Ballsbridge to sign a book of condolence.

Wreaths and bouquets - most with a written message - cover much of the embassy walls and railings. Some people just sign their name, others leave a more personal message.

A weeping Angela, from Dublin, placed a bunch of white flowers because of the three-year-old child (Juliana Clifford McCourt who died on one of the planes with her mother, Ruth).

"I have a little girl, a three-year-old, myself. It was just seeing her face on the television last night and then the aftermath of the plane crash. It just got me.

"And then all the thousands of thousands of people who died. It’s just so overwhelming. There are no words to describe the way the Americans are feeling, the flowers are just a mark of respect," she said.

Angela said the flowers were white to represent innocence and included a pink teddy bear for the Juliann. The inscription reads: "For Juile-ann and all the other victims who were savagely taken from our world. Your’e in a better place now. God bless you all".

Dubliner Paul Hegarty signed the book of condolences because he was at a loss what to do. "I’ve no relatives over there - it just seemed the humane thing to do - to pay my respects.

As he is speaking, a car pulls up and a young woman swiftly adds another bunch of flowers before driving away.

Mary was returning from an interview in Belfast when she heard. "From what I saw, it was frightening. All these people heading to a day’s work. I’ve been to the towers - the view is amazing. I saw all the people at work - just like here - and then they get hit by the planes. That was unreal.

"I had to go and phone my sister and friends who are thankfully fine but shaken. I wanted to sign the book to show we are thinking of you", she said.

Derek Finegan (26), returned to Ireland in 1999 following six years study in West Virgina. "I’ve a lot of friends working the World Trade Center and I’m still trying to get word to them. There is a profound deep sadness that is unbelievable," he said.

Music student Ruth Archbold, (21) heard on the radio about the book of condolences and decided to come over. A feeling of powerlessness was urging people to come and sign the book, she said. "This is more for the people - to actually do something. Because there is nothing we can do. We can’t volunteer our help so this is a way of just doing something."

Adrian from, Killiney jumped on a train to "add my small voice". While any US response to has to "considered", he said military action would have to be "less than one-for-one".

An American mother and her daughter travelling in Ireland have been overwhelmed by the response of the Irish people. Rosemary Murphy, from Ohio was on a coach tour on Tuesday when she heard the news. The coach stopped and they watched events unfold in a pub in "one of your small towns".

Pointing at the US flag at half-mast, her mother, Shelia, was somber about the consequences. "This is war they have declared. Pearl Harbour was one thing. When you come into our country its another story."

The Book of Condolences will be available outside the Embassy until at least 9 p.m. this evening. The Embassy confirmed it would be available tomorrow and also over the weekend.