Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Just after 9.30 p.m. last Friday night I was shocked and horrified when I received a call to inform me that a brave young Garda, Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, had been brutally murdered while protecting the community.

When the news spread, the reaction of people across the country was the same - a mixture of shock and revulsion. The people rightly have great respect and admiration for members of An Garda Síochána and the work they do in protecting the community. They regard an attack on a member of the force for what it is - an attack on the community itself and on the State and its institutions. There are no words strong enough to condemn the evil people who carried out such a brutal and despicable act.

I join the party leaders in again expressing my deep condolences to those who have been most directly affected by this great tragedy: Adrian's wife, Caroline; his children, Amy and Niall; his parents, Hugh and Peggy; his siblings and extended family; and his friends and colleagues. Their grief will endure but I hope, in time, they will find some fortitude in the great outpouring of support from so many decent people right across the country. We have seen people queuing to sign books of condolence in various locations, including Dundalk Garda station and the Mansion House in Dublin.

The men and women of An Garda Síochána are called on frequently to place their lives on the line in order that the entire community can be safe, but it is still a great shock for them when they lose a colleague. It is a shock for them, for Members of this House and for everybody. Therefore, it is important that we say to members of An Garda Síochána today, on behalf of the people we represent, that we stand by them at this very difficult time and that they have our full support in the important work they are doing, particularly in bringing to justice those responsible for the despicable event that took place on Friday night.

As the House would expect, I have been in regular contact with the Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, since this dreadful event. Yesterday, I visited Dundalk Garda station where I met many of Adrian's colleagues. I was briefed on the progress being made in the investigation. I also spoke to Detective Garda Joe Ryan, who was with Adrian on the fateful night. His dedication to duty was such that he was providing every help and assistance to his colleagues conducting the investigation. He was deeply engaged in it while clearly grief-stricken by what had occurred. I can tell the House that the depth of the grief I experienced in the Garda station is matched only by the resolute determination that those who carried out this evil act will be brought to the justice they deserve.

The Garda is devoting considerable resources to this investigation. As the Garda Commissioner has said, there is no question of there not being sufficient resources to carry out an investigation of this kind. The Garda has a great range of legal powers available to it, and this House, rightly, has in its laws provided that anyone convicted of the murder of a Garda must face a minimum mandatory sentence of 40 years. I emphasise that this is the minimum sentence.

I assure the House that the Garda is receiving every possible assistance from the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, Mr. David Ford, telephoned me early on Saturday morning to offer his condolences and assure me that the PSNI will do everything it can to help. Ms Theresa Villiers, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, also gave such assurance. I never had any doubt that the PNSI would offer its full support given the excellent relations and ongoing everyday co-operation between the two police forces. Having said that, I am still very grateful to both Ministers for making contact with me.

There has, understandably, been speculation about who was responsible for this brutal act. I do not believe it is appropriate for me to speculate publicly about that, but I can say one thing with certainty: whatever its background, it was a cold-blooded gang whose members deliberately took the life of a member of An Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner has emphasised publicly that there are people who have information about what happened and they should come forward. We should all add our voice to that appeal, which I know is supported by all Members of this House. Those who have information that might help track down these despicable, cowardly murderers but choose to stay silent should consider carefully how they would feel if it were their husband, father, son or brother who had been murdered in cold blood.

I will, of course, pass on to the Garda Commissioner the messages of sympathy and support expressed here today. I know they will be communicated to the family. It is important that this House has united, not just in expressing its heartfelt sympathy but also in making clear its determination that the evil cowards who committed such an unspeakable act will not prevail and that they will be brought to justice before our courts, which will make appropriate decisions.

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