Sustained support must be available to the families and wider community affected by the horrific crime in Waterford, as people begin to come to terms with the tragedy, Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness said in the Dáil this morning.

Deputy McGuinness and his colleague Deputy David Cullinane met with people involved in the community response at Butler Community Centre yesterday.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy McGuinness expressed his sympathy with the families affected, including the two people still in hospital fighting for their lives. He paid tribute to Amy Maguire and her team at Butler Community Centre, Buíon Phort Láirge, Barnardos, Brill Family Resource Centre, Jigsaw Waterford, the local authority and local councillors.

“We have seen the strength of the community response in Waterford, and the importance of having a place where people can come together and access support,” he said.

“I acknowledge the response from the Departments and the supports made available to date, but that needs to be followed up in the weeks and months ahead as this community rallies and people begin to come to terms with what has happened.”

Responding, Minister Dara Calleary, who has responsibility for Social Protection and Rural and Community Development, expressed his sympathies to the families and wider community. He confirmed that supports had been made available through his Departments and pledged: “As you go to rebuild that community, we will walk with you.”

Deputy McGuinness, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Community Development, said it was essential that families and the wider community have access to practical and emotional supports for as long as they need them.