Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I add my words of sympathy to all the families affected by the dreadful weekend of tragedies. I convey my sympathies to the families of the ten people who lost their lives in the horrific accident in Carrickmines. As Senator Mullins stated, we must also praise the members of the emergency services who arrived at a horrific scene on Saturday. I also express sympathy to the family of the gentleman who died over the weekend in Westmoreland Street.

I pay tribute to Garda Anthony Golden, who lived in my home village of Blackrock, County Louth, where his funeral will take place on Thursday. From all the reports I have read about his actions on Sunday, Garda Golden was an astonishingly brave man. I called to the Garda station this morning before travelling to Dublin and ahead of the prayer service, which was held at 11 a.m. It is surreal to think that it was less than three years ago that we all signed a book of condolence for the late Garda Adrian Donohoe. At that time, we hoped and prayed that something like that would never happen again. The whole community has been shaken to its core by the events of last weekend.

The Garda is still dealing with the death of Garda Adrian Donohoe. My thoughts go out to his wife, Caroline, and their two children, who must be feeling for the Golden family today. I also extend my sympathy to Garda Golden's wife, Nicola, their three young children, Garda Golden's family in County Mayo, and his mother-in-law, Nicola's mother, Iris O'Sullivan, who also lives in Blackrock. I pay tribute to the gardaí in Dundalk, who do a great job.