Former Irish president Mary McAleese was one of many dignitaries to take part in the service at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral in memory of the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks. Source: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR to Ireland has written a formal note of thanks to the Irish public for the good wishes, cards, letters – and even drawings from children – in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks.

Jean-Pierre Thébault, sharing his letter with TheJournal.ie and other national publications, said that he felt a close bond between Ireland and France. He writes:

“The barbaric attacks aimed at making all of us fear, feel disoriented, disunited.”

This is his full letter of thanks: