Address by Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Mr Alan Shatter TD at Annual Garda Memorial Day for Members of An Garda Síochána killed in the line of duty Dubhlinn Gardens Dublin Castle 18th May 2013Commissioner, distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen and in particular
the members of the families of those killed in the line of duty.
I am honoured to be able to attend and speak at today's ceremony. This is a
solemn occasion and it is only fitting that we have all gathered here today
to remember and pay tribute to the members of the Garda Síochána whose
names adorn the roll of honour.
On behalf of the Government I wish to express my deepest sympathies to the
families of those whose lives were cut so short in the service of their
country. Words cannot match the depths of the sorrow that you have endured.
When a member of An Garda Síochána is killed on duty, the loss is not just
felt by their families but also by their colleagues and by the nation.
Their story impacts on all of us not least because they are guardians of
this democracy that we cherish, but also because we know that they are
somebody's spouse, somebody's son or father, brother, colleague and friend.
There can be no preparation for the immensity of such loss.
None of us, even with the greatest empathy, can claim to know what you have
suffered at a time of deep personal loss. I am sure that you can identify
with something I read recently that "grief is a landscape without maps
where blind spots of emotional ambushes await, sparked by unexpected
triggers". During their years of service, the men we honour today dealt
with many families whose lives were changed forever by the unexpected death
of a loved one. I am sure they treated the bereaved with kindness and
compassion. Little did they know that the day would come when the lives of
their own families would be changed forever by their own deaths.
On this occasion last year I said that our prayer must be that the roll of
honour is not added to for a very long time. Unfortunately this has not
been the case. The brutal murder of Adrian Donohoe was an unspeakable crime
and life-changing for his family. The addition of Adrian's name to this
roll of honour brings to 87 the number of members who have been killed in
the line of duty. It is 87 too many. The government have expressed their
revulsion and deep sadness and I wish on their behalf and on my own behalf
to extend again my condolences to his family and to all members of An Garda
Síochána. May he rest in peace.
Unfortunately the roll of honour gets longer. One life lost is one too
many. This Government will continue to support the Garda Síochána in every
possible way as it goes about the business of protecting the state and its
citizens while safeguarding the welfare of the members of the Garda
Síochána to the greatest extent possible.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those whom we remember
today. We also pray that the members who are on duty as we speak will
remain safe as they go about protecting out communities.
Commissioner and members of An Garda Síochána, you are the successors of
proud men and women who served their country with honour from the
foundations of the state. Through it all, the Garda Síochána remained
constant and steadfast so that the people of this country could live
peacefully in this democracy. This work endures and despite the many
challenges that we face as a country we are still blessed to live in a
democracy.
Finally I want to commend those who tend to this memorial. It is important
and fitting that there is a very private space in a very public place where
the families and the public can pay respect to these brave men.
Thank you very much.