Press Releases20 May 06

Church of Ireland statement on the resolution of the situation in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin

Statement by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Archbishop of Dublin and the Dean of St Patrick?s Cathedral, Dublin

Following the peaceful and orderly removal of the Afghan asylum seekers from St Patrick?s Cathedral, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr John Neill, and the Dean of St Patrick?s, the Very Revd Dr Robert McCarthy, issue the following statement:

?We are very relieved that the Afghan asylum seekers that have been on hunger strike in St Patrick?s Cathedral since Sunday have calmly and quietly left the Cathedral under instructions of An Garda Siochana. We commend the Gardai for their skill and determination in bringing this to a successful and peaceful conclusion.

?We would also like to extend our warm thanks to everyone who has offered their assistance and support throughout these difficult days.

?Our concern for the welfare of these asylum seekers has not ended today and we urge people to pray for them, to listen to their concerns on an individual basis and seek ways of addressing them.

?We ask all of our parishes to remember all concerned in their prayers tomorrow.?