Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams apologised in the Dáil today to the family of Detective Garda Jerry McCabe who was shot and killed by republicans in Adare, Co Limerick in 1996.
As the Dáil paid tribute to Det Gda Adrian Donohoe and expressed sympathy to his family and colleagues, Mr Adams also apologised to Mr McCabe's colleague Det Gda Ben O'Sullivan who was injured in the same attack and to other members of the force killed.
He said he very sorry for the pain and loss inflicted.
"The death of Garda Donohoe has also provoked memories of the killing of Garda Jerry McCabe and the wounding of Garda Ben O'Sullivan in June 1996. I want to apologise to Mrs McCabe and the McCabe family and to Garda Ben O'Sullivan and to the families of other members of the State forces who were killed by republicans in the course of the conflict.
"I am very sorry for the pain and loss inflicted on those families. No words of mine can remove that hurt and dreadful deeds cannot be undone but I want to restate that the resolve of Sinn Féin and the majority of Irish people is to ensure that there is never ever a recurrence of conflict.
"Members of An Garda Siochana do a dangerous job and they take risks for all of us. Adrian Donohoe showed great courage when he confronted armed criminals at Lordship. He died in defence of other citizens. And I want again to appeal to everyone and anyone with any information about this crime to co-operate with the Garda or the PSNI. I hope that those responsible are speedily brought to justice."
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and others joined in the condemnation of the killing of Det Garda Donohoe and expressed their sympathies to Mr Donohoe's wife Caroline, their daughter Amy, son Niall and extended family and colleagues.
