West Cavan Councillor, John Paul Feeley, led expressions of sympathy to the Kerr Family on the murder of Ronan Kerr on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Group at today’s meeting of Cavan County Council.
Formally seconding the motion of sympathy, Councillor Feeley paid tribute to the later Ronan Kerr’s mother, Nuala, herself a resent widow, his two brothers, sister, extended family and friends and his colleagues in the PSNI.
‘Ronan Kerr, joined a police service that, like the Garda Siochana, enjoys the broad support of the people of this country. He joined it to serve his community and be part of that fair and balanced police force. The broad representation of political parties and organisations that came out to condemn this murder and to offer sympathy to the Kerr Family is a clear demonstration of the changes political situation on this island, including Michael Martin TD who attended on behalf of Fianna Fáil. I in particular complement the GAA for the words spoken by that organisation last week and there participation in the funeral,’ stated Councillor Feeley.
Councillor Feeley referred to the comments of Cardinal Seán Brady who spoke at the Funeral Mass and referred to the right of anyone to have reservations about any matter be it the police services or elsewhere but that the right to have those views must be expressed in a democratic and law abiding manner.
‘In this county we have a close affinity with the Garda Siochana and the Permanent Defence Forces. Over thirty members of the Garda Siochana were murdered in the line of duty. Ronan Kerr, like those officers were died as a result of his desire to serve the people. I offer my sympathies, and those of my colleagues to the Kerr Family and to Ronan’s friends and colleagues at this difficult time for them,’ concluded Feeley.