Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this opportunity to contribute to this important debate and take this opportunity to express my sympathies to Ashling Murphy’s family, her partner, her friends, the entire school community in Durrow National School and the people of Tullamore and Offaly for their incredible loss. There was a spontaneous groundswell of support and solidarity shown to Aisling’s family in the vigils that took place right across Ireland and further afield in the aftermath of her death. I attended a number of these vigils in County Clare, two of which took place in Ennis and another in Clarecastle. I pay tribute to all of the organisers of these special events and to those who attended them. The brutal killing of Ashling has shocked the entire nation and the fact that this extremely tragic event took place in a popular recreational space and in broad daylight continues to stun the nation.

These shocking events have led to a wider debate about women and their personal safety. For far too long violence and fear have been part and parcel of women’s lives. Women have a right to be safe, full stop, on our streets, in our homes and throughout our communities. Far too often, this is not the case. We all have a role in changing this situation. We as a society must educate our children, especially our young boys, that we need to look out for and protect women and girls.

Violence in any form is not acceptable. We must educate our children in our homes, schools and colleges that there must be respect and equality for everyone, irrespective of gender, sexuality, religious ethos, race or age. I welcome the strong stance of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on violence against women and her general work in this area. We must all move as a nation towards zero tolerance of domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence.

I understand that the Minister intends to have a new national strategy by this March. The Oireachtas must work together to ensure that this happens, and that the issue of violence against women remains a priority. We owe that to Ashling Murphy and the other women who have died violently in this country.

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