Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As Tánaiste and on behalf of the Labour Party, I want to express my deepest sympathies to the families who have lost their loved ones in the terrible tragedies at Carrickmines and Omeath. This was a truly horrific weekend, a desperate weekend that affected not just one family or one community or many and it was all the more heartbreaking because it took place against a weekend which was also a celebration of all that is best in Ireland. Twelve people and one unborn child have lost their lives and for their families, friends and colleagues, we cannot fathom the depth of their grief. We see the pictures of five beautiful children, of a smiling father with his young family, of the burnt-out remains of a family home. We see these images and our hearts are broken. In a halting site in south Dublin, a deadly fire has brought about loss of life on a scale not witnessed in Ireland for many years. It is a devastating blow to the Traveller community who cherish and value family connections more than most, so we grieve with the members of the Traveller community for the loss that the whole community has suffered.

In a quiet village in County Louth, we are moved by the bravery of a young garda who laid down his life carrying out his duty. Garda Tony Golden left behind a wife and three young children and, as it is nowadays with social media, we see the smiling photos of Garda Golden, his lovely wife and his beautiful children and it is hard to actually comprehend that his name will be added to the list in the main hall in Templemore of those gardaí who have laid down their lives for the people of this country and for the service of the State.

His death is a reminder of the dangers the men and women of An Garda Síochána encounter every day on our behalf and we are thankful for their courage. To all members of the Garda family, I extend my sympathy and that of everybody I have met in recent days who are in complete shock at what has happened to a garda, a member of the force, in carrying out his duty.

May all those who have died rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.

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