Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Labour group, I join colleagues in expressing our sympathies to Senator Henry, on the death of her mother and also, of course, to the family of the late former Senator, Eamon De Buitléar. Again on behalf of the Labour group and personally I express absolute revulsion and disgust at the appalling murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. While much has been said about it, anyone who has read any of the circumstances of Friday night's murder will understand just how particularly vicious and brutal it was. All of us would want to send sympathies to his wife, his two very young children, his family and the community in the area. I agree with the Leader's rescheduling of business for tomorrow, which is appropriate. Fortunately it is a rare occurrence when a garda is shot dead in the course of duty and in the course of protecting the community. However, perhaps because it is so rare, it is very important to mark it with appropriate respect and sympathy. That is the right thing to do for tomorrow. I also agree that it is not the day for calling for the usual sorts of adversarial debates in light of what has happened. I again send sincere condolences and sympathies to detective garda Donohoe's family, friends and community. I also extend sympathies to his colleague, detective garda Joe Ryan, who must have been deeply traumatised by his experience in witnessing Friday night's events.