Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all remember where we were when we first heard news of the tragedy in Creeslough. As the hours moved on, we started to hear indications that there was significant loss of life. Then the full horror was revealed. The nation and, obviously, the people of Donegal knew the number of people who had lost their lives, but then we heard their stories and we moved through the wakes and the funerals over one of the most solemn weeks I can ever remember.

It was, however, deeply humbling because in the worst, most unimaginable tragedy that could happen, an appalling and horrific tragedy, the best of people was brought out. Sometimes the worst possible thing that can happen brings out the very best in people. We witnessed the love and solidarity of the immediate community, the wider county of Donegal, our nation and our diaspora - good people all around the world. I will never forget that kindness.

I pay tribute to the unbelievable heroism of the local community. They were the very first on the scene and, with no thought for their own safety, showed the instinct to try to save lives and to go in to remove rubble. What started with a handful of people quickly became hundreds working as a team to remove the rubble. Then the digger driver, with incredible dedication and skill, took away the heavy masonry. The people did everything they could to try to save lives in the most horrendous of circumstances.

I pay tribute to the emergency services, the fire and rescue services from both sides of the Border, the ambulance service, the Garda, our hospital staff and Donegal County Council. I am sure there were others. Of course, our wider health and mental health services have been there for the community. They need to be there continually now. I know they have said they will be there for as long as people need them. I repeat the call Fr. John Joe Duffy made in recent days for people to avail of those services, to talk about what has happened and to get the support they will need.

I pay tribute to Fr. Brian Ó Fearraigh and Fr. Michael Carney, who took responsibility for two of the masses. They were a tremendous support in those two cases to the O'Flaherty and Harper families. Fr. John Joe Duffy has been and continues to be an incredible support to his community. The eulogies he delivered at the various funerals told a story of a man who is at the heart of his community and who has a love and compassion for his community that is inspirational. He and his team will need support moving forward. Bishop McGuckian should be given great praise for his tremendous support, quietly supporting Fr. John Joe in particular throughout the week. I am sure he will continue to do so, together with all the priests from the surrounding parishes. At times we have had to criticise the church in this State, and rightly so, but where there are priests behaving like they did and giving the support they gave, that is worthy of support and admiration. To have see that at close hand over that week was an absolute privilege.

As for the next steps, the community will need supports in the form of mental and physical infrastructure. We need to restore the buildings, get people back in their jobs, get people back in their homes and build community facilities. It is the best tribute we can pay to those who lost their lives.

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