Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has strongly condemned an attack in Jerusalem, after a lorry rammed into a group of Israeli soldiers as they got off a bus.
Four people were killed and at least 15 more injured.
A police spokeswoman said earlier the incident was being treated as a "possible terrorist attack" after the truck veered off course and struck the soldiers who had just disembarked from a bus.
She said the attacker, a Palestinian man, had been neutralised.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said three of the soldiers killed were female.
"We know the identity of the attacker - according to all the signs, he was a supporter of the Islamic State", Mr Netanyahu added.
An Israeli bus driver who witnessed the incident said the truck ploughed into the soldiers and they fired on the driver who reversed direction and ran over them again.
He said: "They shot him, until they neutralised him."
He said the driver was killed and footage showed bullet holes in the truck's windscreen.
Police forensics examining the scene | Image via @MickyRosenfeld on Twitter
Israeli television stations said at least four people were killed and that about 15 wounded bodies were strewn on the street at the Armon Hanatziv promenade overlooking the walled Old City of Jerusalem.
Police said the four people killed were in their 20s and of those injured, one is in a serious condition.
Minister Flanagan said he 'strongly condemned' the attack.
I strongly condemn terror attack in Jerusalem. My thoughts are with victims, survivors, their families & communities at this dreadful time. pic.twitter.com/bJYPJFZJq4
— Charlie Flanagan (@CharlieFlanagan) January 8, 2017
The truck that carried out ramming attack in Jerusalem | Image via @MickyRosenfeld on Twitter
The Palestinian Hamas movement, an Islamic militant group that rules Gaza and has killed hundreds of Israelis in attacks over the years, praised the assault but stopped short of taking responsibility.
Hamas spokesman Abdul-Latif Qanou called it a "heroic" act and encouraged other Palestinians to do the same and "escalate the resistance".
He said the attack proves the wave of Palestinian violence has not ended, despite a recent lull.
He said: "It may be quiet, it may linger, but it will never end."
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat called on residents to be wary but carry on with their everyday life.
He said: "Unfortunately, there is no limit to the cruelty of terrorists who spare no means in killing Jews and disrupting their way of life.
"Those who incite and support terror must pay a heavy price."
