Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator Boyhan's amendment to the Order of Business seeking the moving of No. 128(5) regarding the naming of the children's hospital.

Last night we were treated to a view of two gardaí being beaten in Dublin. Sadly, it is not just Dublin; it is happening everywhere. Members of An Garda Síochána put on their uniforms and go out to work in the evenings expecting to come home in the same physical state. My own young brother, God be good to him, when he was a garda, was severely beaten on one occasion. At that particular time in his life, he was dealing with one of the most notorious criminals in Dublin, a man noted for vicious brutality. It is grossly unfair that members of An Garda Síochána are not at least sure of that, if they are assaulted, a mandatory prison sentence will be imposed. I place on record my total support for the position taken by the general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, AGSI, last night on RTÉ. It is simply not good enough that those young men and women who protect us and keep us safe in our homes can be attacked in that vicious way and that the criminals, when they are caught, might not receive a prison sentence.

On a second issue, Members will all recall the death six years ago of Caitríona Lucas, a member of the Irish Coast Guard volunteer group in the west. Ms Lucas's inquest has still not been held. Are the family not entitled to the closure an inquest will bring? It is outrageous at this stage and I ask the Leader to use her office to write to the coroner in Limerick to ask why there has not been an inquest. The Lucas family are entitled to closure, and if there are things to come out from that inquest that may be disturbing for people, then so be it. Let that happen but let us have the inquest.