Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 3

Death of Garda: Expressions of Sympathy.

The Taoiseach

Ba mhaith liom cómhbhrón a dhéanamh le clann Sheán Eiffe, a fuair bás Dé hAoine seo caite. Today Detective Sergeant Seán Eiffe is being buried in Ratoath, County Meath. He died in the service of this country and of his fellow citizens. On my own behalf, and that of the Government, I extend my sincere sympathy to his wife, Lorraine, his son, Andrew, and his daughters, Alison, Michelle and Rachel. Their loss is an enormous one and in this Christmas period it is extremely difficult for them. We send our condolences from this House today and offer them our sympathy.

I also express my sympathy to the Garda Commissioner and all his Garda colleagues. His tragic death is a reminder, if any were needed, to those of us both inside and outside the House of the risks they take in the defence of our community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Mr. Shatter

I join with the Taoiseach in sending, on behalf of the Fine Gael Party and other Members of the House, the deepest sympathy to the family of Detective Sergeant Seán Eiffe who lost his life in very tragic circumstances on Friday last. We extend our sympathy to his wife, Lorraine, and their four children and to other members of his family.

The Taoiseach is right in saying that the Garda Síochána put their lives at risk for the sake of the community. We do not always give the Garda the recognition they deserve for their service to the community in protecting us by being in the front line in the fight against crime.

I also extend our sympathy to the Garda Commissioner and to his colleagues. Detective Sergeant Seán Eiffe was in the force for some 21 years and had an unblemished record. He was thought of very highly by his colleagues and the local community in Ratoath where he was known to be a family man. His loss will be great not just to the Garda force but to the community in which he lived. May he rest in peace.

Mr. Quinn

On behalf of the Labour Party I add my comments to those that have already been offered by the Taoiseach and Deputy Shatter. I wish to convey our sincere condolences to Mrs. Lorraine Eiffe, the wife of Detective Sergeant Seán Eiffe, his four children, Andrew, Alison, Michelle and Rachel and to his own family and the community in Ratoath, County Meath, where he lived and is being buried this evening.

I also convey our sincere condolences to the Garda Commissioner and to all the members of the force. This is an opportunity for public acknowledgement of the risks that they all take individually and collectively on our behalf in ensuring that our streets and homes are safe. We recognise the service that they delivered to this community over many decades at this hour of their grief. We express sympathy to all concerned.

Mr. Gormley

On behalf of the Green Party, I convey our condolences to the family of Detective Sergeant Seán Eiffe. Our sincere sympathy goes to his wife, children and extended family. It is truly a very tragic incident and we hope that every step will be taken to avoid further such instances in future. May he rest in peace.