Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group, I condemn the barbaric gun attack on the unarmed, off-duty police officer who was volunteering to coach young people at Youth Sport in Killyclogher, Omagh last night. We send him best wishes for a full and speedy recovery and best wishes to his family, his colleagues and everyone who witnessed the attempted murder, but especially the young people of Killyclogher, of Omagh and the North generally. The attack took place in Youth Sport, which is a multisport facility, as I understand it, where soccer, GAA, rugby and all different athletic disciplines are learned, practised and coached. It is a place where I imagine young people and their families go to try to reach their full potential and do it in a diverse, inclusive, tolerant and peaceful way. The location of the attack was appalling. It was an attack not just on an unarmed police officer; it was an attack on a volunteer in that community. It was an attack on the community and on a dad. The location speaks for itself. It was an attack on everyone who is part of that community. It was appalling and we utterly condemn it. The people of the North deserve to live free from the threat of violence and from violence. I appeal to anyone who has information to contact the Garda and the police. There can be no tolerance, no exceptions and no excuse for it.

My constituency of Dublin Central has experienced its fair share of violence, particularly in the north inner city. I am a founding director of a youth service. I am a mother, parent and volunteer. I was delighted yesterday to see the Government in the form of the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, visit the north inner city. He visited the HAY youth diversion project, which Government has approved significant funding for. It is a youth diversion programme that is a combination of professional youth workers working with families, young people and gardaí to help those young people divert away from antisocial behaviour and crime. The programme typically works with young people aged 12 to 18 from Summerhill, Ballybough, Mountjoy Square, Portland Row, Portland Place and the North Strand – right in the heart of our north inner city - and helps young people reach their full potential. It is place where people such as Kellie Harrington, Emmet Brennan and Barry Keoghan come from. It is a place where young people can dream. With the support of this Government and Foróige, the HAY youth diversion project is able to offer early intervention and family support, as well as a digital hub. It is a great project. I wish everybody at HAY well and I especially wish the young people of the north inner city well.