Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I also saw the television interview with Mrs. O'Toole and heard her heartfelt appeal for fair play for her son and his memory. I think everyone would agree that she spoke as a loving mother and it was clear that she was devastated. She told her story without any embellishment. She did not hand out blame to anyone but she wanted the truth.

The idea that somebody would spin that story before the truth came out and suggest that in some way that young man was, as they put it, "known to the gardaí" questions the entire justice system in this country. It also questions the responsibility of some sections of the media. I know some of the relatives of Mrs. O'Toole in my part of the country and I can attest that they are decent, respectable people. It should not be forgotten that professional people who came forward to mention this young man also mentioned his charity and the manner in which he went about helping others who had the same disease. This matter should not be put on the long finger but should be dealt with urgently, not just for the sake of Mrs. O'Toole and the memory of her son but for all concerned citizens in this country. If this is allowed to continue, we will no longer trust what we hear from certain sources. Nor will we trust sections of the media after what has happened in this case.