Ireland condemns shooting attack in Munich

Ireland on Saturday condemned the devastating shooting attack which killed at least nine people and injured 16 others in the southern German city of Munich on Friday evening.

"The taking of innocent lives in a peaceful European city affects all Europeans, including the Irish people, and as fellow Europeans committed to peace, we must not let this attack undermine the way of life of those who value democracy," Irish President Michael D Higgins said in a statement.

"It is important that all of us Europeans are unequivocal in our condemnation and sensitive in our response and we must demonstrate our determination not to be deflected from going about the ordinary business of our lives," he said.

Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said in a statement that once again Europe's values of freedom have been attacked by "cowardly and brutal acts."

"Munich, a city which has known terror in the past, today mourns the innocent victims who were going about their daily lives on a Friday afternoon," Kenny said.

"As Irish people and Europeans we stand in solidarity with Chancellor Merkel and Germany, as we did with France, at this difficult time for our shared Union.

"Terror and the values of those who represent it have no place Europe. We will not yield in our efforts to face them down," the Irish prime minister said.

An 18-year-old German-Iranian opened fire in a shopping mall in Munich before he killed himself. The likely lone shooter held dual citizenship of Germany and Iran and lived in Munich, according to media reports. Enditem