Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would like to reiterate my sympathy to the family, friends and Garda colleagues of Garda Tony Golden. The scene last Thursday in my local parish church was one of devastation and immense grief that another member of the Garda Síochána had been gunned down in cold-blooded murder. When I visited the family last week Tony Golden's wife and mother-in-law pleaded with me to ensure something is done to ensure that our laws around bail for people who have been convicted of serious crime, as in the case of the person who carried out this murder, are changed.

We must ensure the Border is adequately manned and patrolled. I welcome the announcement that 27 additional gardaí are to be deployed to the Dundalk district but I hope this will be a permanent resource and not only a token six-week presence, as happened following the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. We need to wake up. It was devastating, and not only for people in the locality or the Garda Síochána, to whom my heart goes out, but people generally that we were faced with the murder of another garda less than two years after the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. I, too, would welcome a debate on activity around the North of Ireland. While we have previously had such debates there are now more serious allegations to be discussed, as highlighted in the reports published yesterday. I agree with Senators that we all have a lot more to say on this issue.

I also pay tribute to the people of Blackrock and Haggardstown who came together from last Sunday and showed what true community spirit is.