Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I ask whether the Order of Business is agreed, I wish to thank everyone in the Chamber and others, including Members and staff, who offered their condolences following the recent death of my sister, Eileen. I greatly appreciate the words of comfort and genuine sympathy being expressed.

I would also like to be associated with the remarks made following the tragic death of Councillor Manus Kelly from the parish of Glenswilly in Letterkenny. It was a terrible tragedy not alone for his community but also for his family. My heart reaches out to them. I recall how on 16 March 1993 I travelled with a councillor colleague of mine to a meeting. On the way back that night, we parted company. He went one way, I went another and he was killed. His death was a tragedy. We were together all day at a meeting. We parted company at a village called Drimoleague. Unfortunately, he was involved in a car accident on his way home and was killed. That memory still haunts me. I reckon had I driven him to Skibbereen or picked him up from there, it might not have happened. Many of these things are outside our control. In any event, it is good to reflect on such matters. My sincere sympathy goes to the extended Kelly family and to the local authority members in Donegal across the board. When these tragedies strike, they are not restricted to people in the party - they touch everyone in the community. Unfortunately, I never knew Councillor Kelly. However, on foot of what I have heard today from people such as Senators Gallagher and Wilson who did know him, it is obvious that he was a charismatic community man and businessman. It is a great loss. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.