Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I sympathise with our colleague, Senator Imelda Henry, on the death of her mother, and with her father, Peter, who is well known to us. I also sympathise with the families of the late former Senator Éamon de Buitléar and the late Kevin Heffernan.

Of course, I join with colleagues in totally condemning the brutal murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe. We now know that these men were trapped in a car park and that Garda Donohoe was blasted out of it. He was slain in cold blood without any opportunity whatsoever to defend himself. Sadly, this area used to be referred to as "bandit country", but I am afraid some of the banditry is lingering on. I know the Garda and the PSNI co-operate wonderfully together, but in south Armagh and north Louth, consideration should be given to a corridor where both forces can operate together, and we should do whatever we need to do in legislation to enable it. We know, for instance, that if our forensic team had been able to gain access to the burned out car in Keady, it would have speeded things up and we would not have had the delay. That type of wonderful co-operation should be provided for. I am happy to leave it at that because, as Senator Darragh O'Brien said, today is not the day for normal business.