Michael Brennan (Progressive Democrats)

The poet, Gerald Griffin, best describes my home village of Adare in the following lines:

Oh Sweet Adare! Oh lovely vale!

Oh, soft retreat of sylvan splendour,

Nor summer sun, nor morning gale

E'er hailed a scene more softly tender.

This was also the scene of an act which shocked the nation where Detective Jerry McCabe was shot to death and Detective Ben O'Sullivan was wounded on Friday, 7 June 1996. These two detectives were on duty escorting a post office delivery of money to pay old age pensions and social welfare benefits. This act was carried out by an armed gang in battle dress.

Many views and opinions on this act have been expressed by the public and questions asked. Can it be lawful for the Government to release those who killed Detective Garda Jerry McCabe and wounded Detective Garda Ben O'Sullivan in Adare? In the minds of the public his killers were never to benefit from the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. The members of this gang were convicted of manslaughter, the lesser charge, as a result of intimidation of witnesses. Any reduction in sentences being served would not serve the greater good and would erode the confidence of the Irish people in our justice system. The ability of the Irish people to live and work together does not and should never depend on the early release of the killers of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe.

I refute the claim by Gerry Adams that no republican activist can be a criminal. Criminality, including punishment beatings, knee-cappings, bank and post office robberies, including other acts, must end once and for all and must be included in any agreement reached. In a matter of weeks and months decisions will be made by leaders of Governments which will affect all our lives. There is a golden opportunity to take that final step towards peace and reconciliation on this island. Something of which all generations have dreamed is now within our grasp.

I have every confidence that the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the members of the Government, together with the leaders involved on all sides, will have the courage to bring about a comprehensive and just settlement, and that the communities, North and South, will have the will to accept its implementation to a final conclusion. I have seen in my home village Catholics, Protestants and Methodists — people of all religious persuasions and none — work together and for one another within our community. Should it not be our dream to see that peace and tranquillity extended North and South within the island of Ireland in our lifetime?

In conclusion, there is a small marble plaque on the wall of Adare Garda station. It reads: "In memory of Detective Jerry McCabe who gave his life in the service of his country at Adare on 7 June 1996." There is an image of a dove on that plaque showing the outline of the face of Detective Garda McCabe on its wings. However, equally important, a message is written in stone around the verge of that plaque which reads: "For the Peace and Love of my fellow man. For the Justice of my Fellow Man. Peace and Understanding of my Fellow Man." I wish the Taoiseach well in his work for a lasting peace in our land.