Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Social Democrats, I express our deep sympathy to the families of those who have lost their lives and send our well wishes to those who have been injured or impacted by this act of terror. We express our solidarity with the people of Great Britain and Manchester, in particular. The attack was on young people, all of whom would have looked forward to the event. Most would have gotten their tickets months ago. As the concert got nearer, it is easy to visualise the excitement of youngsters planning what they would wear, who they would go to the concert with and how they would get to and from the concert. What is not easy to comprehend or visualise is the mindset of those who carried out this outrage. At the same time as those youngsters were excitedly planning their big night out, evil preparation was taking place, the intent of which was to produce the greatest level of carnage to maximise the worldwide impact and create fear and division. Atrocities like this leave a deep scar on families and communities. This one is of such enormity it is difficult to process. It deserves nothing less than full condemnation for the vile act it is.

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