Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I add the Rural Independent Group's voice to the outrage, disquiet and dismay at the sad and untimely passing of Detective Garda Horkan. The vox pops and reaction of people in the small town of Ballaghaderreen give a sense of loss and a feeling of "here we go again" 40 years on from the tragic and untimely deaths of Garda Henry Byrne and Detective Garda John Morley who were murdered 40 years ago. Preparations were being made to commemorate these two heroic fallen comrades. To think that this happened to a dedicated member of An Garda Síochána on a sleepy Tuesday night in a small rural town. We heard from Deputy Naughten and others who knew of Detective Garda Horkan's work in Roscommon - we will hear more from Deputy Fitzmaurice shortly - the everyday stories of how he mattered and how he dealt with his community. I heard retired Garda Sergeant John Hynes speak on RTÉ about him and the House will discuss domestic violence during the Covid crisis later. This is a timely reminder of how Detective Garda Horkan endeavoured to help so many families who were affected by that scourge. His death is a huge loss to his community, An Garda Síochána and the State.

I salute gardaí up and down the country. I acknowledge that dedicated community units have been re-established in Clonmel, Cahir and elsewhere. I ask that the Minister for Justice and Equality and his successor, whoever that may be - he may be sitting beside me - ensure that community Garda units are in place. They are the lifeblood of policing as no police force can function without the public's support. Ní neart go cur le chéile. It is so important that we have these community units, which have done Trojan work in this time of lockdown. They have regained for the Garda a huge amount of respect, which had diminished due to a lack of numbers and support. No garda should work alone. Gardaí do not know what call will come into the station or what they will confront on any street, around any corner or behind the door of any house. They need back-up and support. Too often in rural Ireland, members of the Garda are out on their own, which is not safe or wise. I salute all gardaí for the dedicated work they do to keep us safe so that we can sleep in our beds in the knowledge that they will respond. I express the sympathies of the Rural Independent Group to Detective Horkan's family, the Charlestown community and An Garda Síochána.

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