Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was a sensitive issue for the people of Dunmanway, in particular, and the entire Bandon Valley area. We had families come from the North and the UK to attend the event. Their loved ones were tragically shot 100 years ago in that 48-hour period. It brings home that this is about reconciliation, trying to move forward and to acknowledge exactly what happened. It was not all triumphalism or saying it was all for the greater good. Unfortunately, people on all sides were grossly affected and, 100 years later, they carry their scars. It was a privilege for me to be there, meet the families and talk about it. They were talking about their great-great-grandfathers and great-great-granduncles. That was an acknowledgement that we need to start talking about moving forward but we should never forget what happened. It is important that, at some stage, we should have an acknowledgement in this Chamber of what happened in the Bandon Valley. Eleven men and two teenagers were slaughtered on that occasion.