Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom, ar son mo pháirtí agus ar mo shon féin, comhbhrón a dhéanamh le muintir Uí Loinsigh, Uí Chonchúir agus Gilbert as ucht an chaillte ollmhóir a tharla dóibh i rith an deireadh seachtaine seo caite. Is dochreidte an méid daoine, go háirithe leanaí óga, a fuair bás i gCarraig Mhaighin. Is léir go bhfuil pobal na tíre seo an-tógtha agus an-bhuartha faoin scéal tragóideach seo. Gan amhras, tá ár smaointe agus ár bpaidreacha leis na daoine a fuair bás agus a gclainne go léir. Maraon leis sin, déanaim combhrón le clann Tony Golden, go háirithe a bhean Nicola, a leanaí Lucy, Alex agus Andrew agus an clann go léir as ucht bhás Tony. Fear lách, cróga agus proifisiúnta ab ea é.

I join the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in adding, on my own behalf and that of my party, our sincerest sympathy to the Lynch, Gilbert and Connors families on their enormous loss. The relatives of those who died and the community in Carrickmines are understandably devastated at the enormous loss of life. People across the island of Ireland were truly numbed by this appalling inferno in which one entire family was taken from us. Ten people and an unborn child lost their lives in the tragedy. The pictures showing how close the families were, full of the joys of life, beamed out at us from every newspaper are particularly poignant and illustrate the enormity of the loss. It is particularly heart-breaking for the families and the Traveller community, in particular, but also for the wider community.

It is important on occasions like this when we experience such a terrible loss that we all reflect on the scale of such a loss and particularly the number of young children who died. I believe this is the largest loss of life in a fire in Ireland since 1981. As a society, we can never be too vigilant in protecting children and must always take every affirmative action we can to fully realise that obligation.

I also express the sincere sympathy and extend the condolences of my party to Nicola Golden; her children, Lucy, Alex and Andrew, and the extended family of Garda Tony Golden, particularly his parents, David and Breege; his sister, Mary, and four brothers. He was taken brutally in the line of duty on Sunday. His very last act was to help someone in dire need, as a result of which he made the ultimate sacrifice by losing his own life. He was known by colleagues as a very gentle man who was absolutely professional in the performance of his duties. He was a brave garda who always considered others first and foremost. We must remember, of course, that he was a son, a husband and a loving father to three young children. It is horrendous that he was taken in the prime of his life. He was a very popular man, both in County Mayo and County Louth where he worked and lived with his family in recent years. As the Taoiseach said, the people who knew him have some very heart-warming stories about his playing days with Ballina Stephenites in County Mayo. He stood out from a very early age - I think he was taller than most when he played on the Ballina Stephenites under-14 team. He was always and ever fundamentally a pillar of the community.

His colleagues speak glowingly about his pride in An Garda Síochána and his absolute commitment to the public service and to people in all circumstances. He has paid with his life for his dedication to his profession and his valour while helping a woman who was a victim of domestic violence. We wish Siobhan Phillips a full recovery from her terrible and traumatic ordeal as well.

It is important that we always remember Garda Tony Golden and the other 88 gardaí that have died while protecting the people of this State since 1922. They are the foundation stone upon which our society and democracy is built. The Golden family deserve every support that we can give while they try to come to terms with their enormous loss. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.

See this speech in context