District Mayor extends condolences to Providence counterpart

Athlone-Moate Municipal District Mayor, Cllr Vinny McCormack, has expressed condolences to his US counterpart Brett Smiley following the "tragic shooting" at Brown University in Providence Rhode Island.

A suspect fatally shot two people and wounded nine others at the Providence based university on Saturday.

Athlone was formally twinned with Providence in March of this year, Mayor McCormack offering the sympathies of the District to those impacted by the shooting.

In a self penned letter to Mayor Smiley, Cllr McCormack said the District was "profoundly saddened" to learn of this "senseless act of violence" and of the "fear and loss it has brought to your city".

"Our thoughts are with the all those who have been affected by this distressing event," Mayor McCormack said.

The District's first citizen acknowledged the "courage and dedication" of the first responders and university staff "who acted swiftly to prevent further loss of life and injuries".

"Through the deep bonds forged through both communities, we in Athlone share in the grief and sadness which surrounds the great city of Providence at the moment," the Mayor added.

Concluding, the Mayor expressed his hope that "comfort may be found" in the solidarity extended by friends and communities "near and far" and that "healing may come to all those impacted".