Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Independent Group, I wish to begin by extending the apologies of Deputy Thomas Pringle, representative for the Donegal constituency, who cannot be here today to join in the condolences being offered to the people of Creeslough as he is in attendance at the Council of Europe. He asked me to say a few words.

This morning, President Higgins spoke with Deputy Pringle and the other members of the delegation about the tragedy that has left the community and, indeed, the whole country stunned with sadness. As families, neighbours and friends gather in their grief to lay loved ones to rest, I know the support of the community will be vital to giving them the strength they need to begin healing from the void that will be left in their lives. Today, as we speak, Jessica Gallagher and Martin McGill are the first to be laid to rest and over the coming days, another eight casualties of this incomprehensible incident will be mourned similarly. They were mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, parents and grandparents, and friends and loved ones to so many. I offer my sincere and heartfelt sympathies and solidarity, and those of my colleagues, to all the families and people of Creeslough and County Donegal.

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