Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Cathaoirleach to bear with me. Many tributes have been paid to Mary O'Rourke and John Naughten. The Cathaoirleach and the Leader know the Naughten family very well. The whole county of Roscommon is stunned at the moment. I got the news of John Naughten's death from a friend when I was attending a match on Friday evening. I could not believe it. I served with John for a long period. He watched my selection convention hoping that I would make it. All I can say about John Naughten is that he did not understand the words "political opponent".In all my life, I never saw him try to take down a political opponent. He did his work well and got a massive vote in every local election. He really cared for people and was the epitome of what is good in Irish politics. I am heartbroken for Breda and the three girls, for Denis and his other brothers and sisters and for his poor mother as well. All we can do at this stage is offer them our support and prayers at this time. In the middle of all of that, with all that the family is going through, I got a lovely message on the phone from Denis the other day. I really appreciate, with all that is on their minds, that he took time out to leave those few words for me. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.

Mary O'Rourke was a formidable politician. She was not a great woman for the quotas but, by God, did she get her way in politics in terms of fighting and making her name. She had to fight. One of my greatest memories of her was a radio interview. Some in the House may not know that in the past I was involved in radio, on Shannonside Northern Sound. One of the programmes I used to present was called "In My Life" which comprised an hour-long interview. That was an amazing time for me because I was in Mary O'Rourke's family home and I got a real insight into the type of person she was.

I am taking up my time today and am going off course a little bit but I hope people will understand. I feel devastated, particularly for the Naughten family. I ask everybody, however they think about people, whether that be through prayer or reflection, to please pray for them.