David Norris (Independent)

As this is an issue that affects all of us, either directly or through our relatives, the Seanad should properly consider it.

I wish to raise one further item, a bank robbery involving a shooting in Navan, because it is a most interesting situation and one that should give pause for thought. People are horrified by the increase in gun crime. I trace it all back to the so-called republican community because it helped to introduce guns and drugs into this country but that does not mean we cannot examine the position. It is very important to examine the situation. I was horrified to listen to the unending stream of gloating calls to the radio which said the gardaí should have shot them all. The callers had no sympathy for the families but the families may not have had anything whatever to do with it and they are human beings.

I also feel great sympathy for the gardaí who are decent, fine people. I understand one garda was in tears which is a very human response. However, when there is a situation where no shot was fired from the other side and several shots came from Garda sources, it is in the interests both of the Garda Síochána and the citizens of this country that there should be an independent inquiry. Otherwise we will be told that what we have in the South is a shoot to kill policy——