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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Jun 1968

Vol. 235 No. 5

Death of Senator Robert Kennedy: Expression of Sympathy.

Before we commence business, I should like to refer to the sad news we received a few minutes ago of the death of Senator Robert Kennedy. The country and, indeed, the world were shocked by the news of the attack on his life yesterday morning. Now comes the terrifying and horrifying news of the consequences of that attack. No words of mine could adequately express the sense of shock and the sense of loss that we in Ireland feel at the death of Senator Robert Kennedy nor the sympathy that we have for his widow and his young children and, indeed, for all the Kennedy family, who have suffered so much.

I would, therefore, suggest that as a mark of our sympathy, we take the unprecedented step of adjourning the Dáil for one hour and in the meantime I would ask you, a Cheann Comhairle, on behalf of Dáil Éireann to convey to Mrs. Ethel Kennedy and his family the deep sympathy we all feel.

I should like to join with the Taoiseach in expressing our very deep sense of shock at the dreadful tragedy which has affected the Kennedy family and, in particular, to express our deep feeling of sorrow to Mrs. Ethel Kennedy and her children and our very great concern at the tragedy which, once again, has affected the Kennedy family and, indeed, the whole human race.

We in this country are all aware of the services which the late President Kennedy and the late Senator have rendered in the cause of resolving the conflicts which at present affect not only the United States of America but other parts of the world and we wish to express the sincere hope that with the help of God and the assistance of men of goodwill everywhere this period of violence will pass. I should like to join with the Taoiseach in expressing our very deep sorrow in the present tragic circumstances.

On behalf of the Labour Party I should also like to say how shocked and saddened we are by the tragic death of the young Senator Kennedy. On behalf of the Labour Party, I should like to express to his wife and his family our sincerest sympathy. I certainly agree that there should be this token of respect to the memory of Senator Kennedy in adjourning the Dáil for one hour. When we think of the Kennedys, we remember the close ties there were between us and the Kennedy family, particularly in recent years. It is at a moment like this that we recall the tragic death of the late President John F. Kennedy. Only a short week ago his sister, Mrs. Shriver, participated in the ceremony at the opening of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. I should therefore like to reiterate what the Taoiseach and the Leader of the Fine Gael Party have said and to say how shocked we are by this tragedy and to express the hope that God may comfort the wife and young family of the assassinated Senator.

Members rose in their places.

Business suspended at 10.45 a.m. and resumed at 11.45 a.m.

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