Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I join colleagues in expressing sympathy to both the McElhill and McGovern families on the tragic loss of the parents and children in the terrible fire in the town of Omagh yesterday morning.

On what can only be described as the brutal and savage murder of Paul Quinn in my constituency, I once again condemn this murder in the strongest possible terms. I do so again here today, and in conjunction with my colleagues' voices in Sinn Féin I once again call on people to provide any information they may have on this savage attack to either the Garda or the PSNI. I join with the Taoiseach in expressing the hope that those responsible will be brought to justice at the earliest opportunity.

I acknowledge that the following does not apply to any of those who have questioned this matter here this morning, but there are others who have used this terrible event in order to undermine the political project on which we all have embarked in creating a new dispensation across this island and there are also those who would seek to demonise the entire republican community of south Armagh. I reject both of those intents and the people responsible for them.

The remarks of the IMC member yesterday are a statement and equate with speculation. Within the remarks made, there was not one verified fact. If the person responsible for those remarks has specific information, it is important that he present that information to either the Garda or the PSNI.

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