Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday morning's news of an attack on Mr. Kevin Lunney should stop all of us in our tracks. We read in this morning's newspapers the details of the attack and the injuries suffered by Mr. Lunney, and they are absolutely appalling. It is the type of attack we thought had ended on this island. Mr. Lunney was kidnapped by four masked men, thrown into the boot of a car and driven away from his family home to an isolated spot where he was aggressively and savagely assaulted. As a consequence he is enduring life-changing injuries. I am sure everybody will join me in wishing him and his family well during this very difficult time. I hope everybody in the House joins me in saying there is no room on this island for that kind of attack and for somebody to be treated in that manner.

It is worrying that there has been a pattern of attacks on both people and property over a number of years that culminated in this attack on Tuesday evening. Today, the chairman of Quinn Industrial Holdings has stated he is "frustrated and angry" more had not been done to protect Mr. Lunney. There have been a series of attacks on property and people and there appears to be complacency in dealing with the matter and pursuing those who are responsible.

What has the Government done in the 48 hours since the attack to ensure extra Garda resources will be made available and that it can co-operate with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, so that, once and for all, there can be a strong policing response that will send a message that we will take no nonsense? What kind of engagement has there been with executives from Quinn Industrial Holdings to assure them that the Government understands the pressure they are under and it will not stand for this kind of behaviour? Will extra resources be made available? My colleague, Councillor John Paul Feeley, suggested a specialised unit from the Garda Síochána and the PSNI to root out the problem once and for all. I know the Tánaiste will join me, as I hope everybody will, in condemning the attack. It is worrying that a complacency in policing has led to the attack. Once and for all we must drive out that complacency.

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