Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I join Deputy Kenny in condemning the cold-blooded killing of Donna Cleary, an act of barbarism in terms of its deliberate and random nature. The perceived reason for the shooting could not be more trivial. The Garda has mounted a major investigation into the crime and arrested five people in connection with it. One of those detained in Coolock Garda station complained of feeling unwell, was visited three times by a doctor and was subsequently taken to Beaumont Hospital for further medical attention. He was then returned to the Garda station where he was provided with prescribed medication. Later, he was again taken to Beaumont Hospital where he was pronounced dead this morning. The Garda Commissioner has appointed a chief superintendent from outside the Dublin metropolitan region to investigate the death. Our sympathies extend to the family, child and relatives of Donna Cleary as well as to everybody else connected with this act of barbarism.

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