President Michael D. Higgins says his thoughts are with the people of Egypt.

He has issued a statement this evening following two attacks on Coptic Churches in the country.

Egypt's president has declared a three-month state of emergency following bomb attacks which killed at least 44 people.

Islamic State says it was behind the explosions, which targeted people celebrating Palm Sunday.

The first one happened in Tanta, north of Cairo.

Ishaq Helmy saw the second attack in Alexandria: