NI Tributes Over Boston Marathon

Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have released a statement of sympathy for the people of Boston, Massachusetts, following news of a bomb which exploded during the city's annual marathon, killing three and injuring over 140.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bomb, which was detonated at the marathon's finish line.

In a joint statement, the First and deputy First Ministers said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that have unfolded in Boston during what is one of the world's most popular marathons.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of all those killed and injured in this horrific turn of events."

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and all of those injured and with the citizens of this fine city.”

Ulster Unionist MLA Ross Hussey addressed Stormont to wish sympathy to the people of Boston, following news of the attack.

"As I drove up here today, I heard the reports on Radio Ulster, which started by playing the sound of the bombs going off," he said.

"That terror will be revisited on people who live in Northern Ireland. I immediately thought of Omagh on 15 August 1998, when my town was visited by evil people. The fear came back to me that this could revisit us.

"Our thoughts will be with the people of Boston and the victims of this atrocity over the coming days, but my thoughts will also be with those who have lost relatives in similar circumstances, particularly the families of the soldiers who were murdered on 15 June 1988.

"They were six soldiers who needlessly lost their lives in a similar situation. Terrorists copy each other, and I hope that the American President's vow that those people will be caught will be carried through.

"It is unfortunate that that did not happen here. Let us hope that the American president can follow that through and bring these people to justice."

(IT/CD)