Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second the proposed amendment to the Order of Business by Senator MacSharry. Like other Senators and Deputies, I have received a communication from Mr. Declan Foley in Australia. I know the area concerned. Like other speakers, I condemn all of the recent and horrific murders. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, must bear some responsibility in terms of the escalation of violence and violent murders that have occurred.

I support Senator MacSharry in his condemnation of the brutal and horrific murder of Mr. Eugene Gillespie of Old Market Street in Sligo, whose murder was inhuman and barbaric. Mr. Gillespie, who was in his late 60s, was tied up and left for three days to die. As Senator MacSharry stated, the attack on Mr. Gillespie, who was badly beaten, took place right in the centre of Sligo. I call on the Minister, Deputy Shatter, to ensure all the resources necessary are made available to the Garda Síochána in Sligo to enable them to quickly solve this crime which has put the fear of God into so many people who are living alone in rural areas. While such attacks normally occur in rural areas, the attack on Mr. Gillespie took place in the centre of a town which is practically visible from the Garda station. I know that gardaí, who are horrified by what happened, will do their utmost to solve this crime.

It is essential that leadership, in terms of our intolerance of crime, is provided by the Minister for Justice and Equality. I believe more than one person was involved in this crime. People find it hard to believe that nobody witnessed anything suspicious in the area. I appeal to anyone who has even the tiniest piece of information to come forward and assist gardaí in solving this crime. It is imperative this is done. I express my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Gillespie on his tragic death.