Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The murder of Jo Cox, MP, was completely and utterly senseless. A person going about her work was attacked and executed in a brutal and horrific way - her killing was an execution. It goes against everything we believe in in a democracy, namely, the right to free speech, protest, different opinions and respect for difference. It is very hard to believe that there could be somebody with such hatred that he or she could take it out on a person who has been a voice for those suffering through being refugees. She has been robbed of her potential to do even more. I am conscious that she is not alone. As we stand here today, other parliamentarians in different parts of the world have also been murdered, are subject to violence or are in jail because their political views. I extend heartfelt sympathy to her family, community and political party.

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