NORTHERN Ireland's Deputy First Minister has said Ireland's hearts are broken after a Manx2.com flight crashed at Cork Airport killing six passengers.

Martin McGuinness told the media it was as a "deeply shocking and saddening event" and said: "Our hearts are broken for those people who have lost loved ones in this incident."

The Deputy First Minister also revealed that he contemplated taking the ill fated Belfast to Cork flight which crashed on its third attempt at landing shortly before 10am.

Mr McGuinness explained: "This is a route I have travelled on a number of occasions in the past. In fact I am going to be in Munster tomorrow and earlier in the week I contemplated travelling on this flight but that changed due to our circumstances.

"I'm very conscious of the fact that this is a flight that is frequented by people from the business community, people that have family reasons to travel to Cork and indeed people who are involved in tourism.

"We want to send our condolences and very deepest sympathies at what is a very tragic and traumatic time." 

Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson said: "Needless to say we are all shocked at what occurred. I think this is testimony to the unquestionable uncertainty of life. The families that set out either to do a day's business or to enjoy some pleasure have been thrust into circumstances that they could not have imagined."

The Manx2.com flight NM7100, a metroliner SW4, was carrying 10 passengers and two crew when it crashed.