Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join with Senator Ardagh in congratulating the Ballyfermot community where I attended the re-enactment of the passion of the Christ over the past two days. It was a live play for two days. I commend the parish in Ballyfermot which participated and allowed the use of the church for what might have been seen as a very modern day telling of the story of Christ. Jesus was played by a woman. There was a live eviction. It was very topical. It says a lot about the church in Ballyfermot that it played a part, got involved and attended the event for the two days even though it was a redoing of the passion of the Christ.

I mark this week by acknowledging something that could tie in with moving the Civil Law (Missing Persons) Bill 2016 along a bit. My friend William Maughan and his girlfriend were murdered this week two years ago. It was a double murder. His girlfriend Anna was pregnant at the time. It was a huge tragedy for the community of Tallaght and for the Traveller community, which William was from. William was murdered. The bodies have not been found. He was murdered because he refused to do certain things for a criminal gang. It would be ideal for us to call on the Tánaiste to come in to discuss criminality and the routes out of criminality for people who want to change the course of their lives. There are people who, in trying to do so, are losing their lives. We should look at how we can create some sort of support for people who are looking to move out of criminality. I send condolences to the Maughan family and hope some progress is being made in recovering the bodies of William and Anna.