Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On my own behalf and on behalf of the Sinn Féin Deputies, I extend our sincere sympathy to the wife, daughter, sons and wider family of the late Deputy Liam Lawlor. Over the short number of years of my service from 1997, I had the opportunity to engage with Deputy Lawlor. He was, as other Members described, a very engaging Member of the House. In thinking back over his death, while I am sure that throughout his lifetime he was very proud of his family, there could hardly have been a time during his life when he could have been as proud as I have no doubt he must have been at witnessing their courage and dignity over those terrible days following his tragic death. This has been noted by the entire nation.

I will not let the opportunity go by without reiterating my belief that the overwhelming majority of the Irish people were shocked and vexed at the outrageous and false reports that sections of the Irish media were so eager to peddle as fact following his death. To inflict such hurt and pain on a grieving family would be viewed by many as unacceptable even if the claims were true. To do so when there was no basis to their scurrilous reports is viewed by the overwhelming majority as unforgivable.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

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