Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Read Me President Higgins' message for Christmas and New Year

The President of Ireland offers his best wishes to the people of Ireland and the Irish family, “wherever they may be”.

MAY I OFFER my best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all the people of Ireland and to the members of the Irish family wherever they may be.

Christmas provides an opportunity for us all to pause, reflect, and celebrate the things that we rightly cherish. It is a time when we, as citizens, as families, and as communities turn our minds to what is really important – family, friendship, neighbourliness and homecoming. At Christmas we have an opportunity to renew our appreciation of these gifts, gifts which we hope will sustain us through the coming year.

At this time especially, those of us who are fortunate enough to have a joyous Christmas should be mindful of the need to reach out to others who – due to loss, emigration, illness or financial circumstances are going through a difficult time.

We should be mindful too of those who maintain essential services during this time – our Gardaí, prison officers, Defence Forces, emergency services and medical staff. As President, I thank all these public service personnel for their dedicated service to our community.

As our economy has contracted in recent times, many people are feeling the consequences, in terms of employment or income. However, our economic condition does not, on its own, define who we are.

We are, for example, a country with a network of communities, that are increasingly active in responding to their own, and their society’s, difficulties.

We also have the resource of our scattered people around the world, who support each other, and who value their connection with their homeland.

A major priority during my first year in office was to engage with, and listen to our young people. That engagement confirmed for me that our young people have a very positive vision for the future of Ireland, and are determined to make their contribution to positive change.

There is much to be proud of, and much to build on, as we prepare for the New Year and look forward with hope and courage to realising all the possibilities that it presents. Possibilities such as Ireland’s seventh Presidency of the European Union which coincides with European Year of Citizens in 2013, and the opportunity that represents to renew the founding idealism of Europe – a Europe of citizens, of social solidarity, of cohesion, and of shared cultures.

May I wish all the Irish at home and abroad, and those who live and work with them, a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a New Year full of promise, health and fulfilment.

Beannachtaí na Nollag agus athbhliain faoi shláinte, faoi dhóchas agus faoi shéan dhíbh go léir.

Michael D. Higgins is the President of Ireland.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
67 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emer Caffrey
    Favourite Emer Caffrey
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 12:50 PM

    Absolutely senseless crime, a wonderful man gone for no reason, tragic RIP

    539
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Canyon
    Favourite Canyon
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 4:17 PM

    @Emer Caffrey: Gemma O Doherty tweeted about it….she is some piece of work…

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chrissy Beanz
    Favourite Chrissy Beanz
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 1:17 PM

    I would just like to say; Last night, when YOU were sleeping soundly in your bed in our sanctuary which is the well-policed Republic of Ireland, Colm Horkan gave his life for YOU. In honor of that sacrifice and to acknowledge the mettle and gallantry of all our Gardai, it is time for YOU to KNEEL and PRAY.
    Chris Buchan

    279
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Negan
    Favourite Negan
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 1:23 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: not a time to be forcing your religious values on others Chris.

    314
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ed Kelly
    Favourite Ed Kelly
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 1:29 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: we can pay our respects without kneeling and praying but each to their own I guess.

    179
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Andrews
    Favourite Daniel Andrews
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 2:01 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: what will praying do?

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martello Mulligan
    Favourite Martello Mulligan
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 2:52 PM

    To the nit-picking simpletons: you should acknowledge the man’s sacrifice before you throw up your precious little quibbles.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Arch Angel
    Favourite Arch Angel
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 3:43 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: My deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues at this time. What a self serving thing to say, to use this poor man’s death to further your religious agenda. You ought to be ashamed.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brynþór Patrekursson
    Favourite Brynþór Patrekursson
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 4:35 PM

    @Martello Mulligan: I’m sure guards don’t sign up to sacrifice anything for anyone. We have a relatively peaceful country, and no one should be expected to be killed. The nonsense being put out there is as if we’re living in constant fear or a way zone. Until we know better, this was an accident, and we need to stop the calls for capital punishment until the facts emerge.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martello Mulligan
    Favourite Martello Mulligan
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 5:26 PM

    @Brynþór Patrekursson: an accident??? Who said guards sign up for sacrifice??? Focus, my friend.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seomra Ban
    Favourite Seomra Ban
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 6:05 PM

    @Brynþór Patrekursson: a 5 shot accident?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Kearon
    Favourite Stephen Kearon
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 1:25 PM

    Absolutely horrific crime, there should be only one sentence for capital murder, and its not the one that wastes tax payers money year after year

    205
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nolan Spare
    Favourite Nolan Spare
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 2:10 PM

    @Stephen Kearon: Probably will only be charged with manslaughter.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Hughes
    Favourite Peter Hughes
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 12:53 PM

    Shocking alright…..some lunatics out there

    167
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patricia O'Reilly
    Favourite Patricia O'Reilly
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 1:10 PM

    Omg how awful, his poor family. God love him. Rip.

    134
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robbie Graham
    Favourite Robbie Graham
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 2:03 PM

    Incredibly sad and scarcely believable. Condolences to his family, friends and community. RIP Garda Horkan.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nioe
    Favourite Nioe
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 2:35 PM

    Terrible news. Hopefully his needless loss will be a turning point when the justice system starts to stand up against crime and protect our citizens.

    The law has for too long protected the criminals and this coin has gone lawless.

    Guaranteed whoever committed this crime has a massive criminal record and would not be on the streets if there was a functional justice system with proper sentencing….

    RIP

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Alford
    Favourite Jane Alford
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 2:35 PM

    It’s beyond time where firearms are designed to only able to be fired by the individual the gun is signed out to. The grips need to be digitized. The technology is available, about time it is used.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John J. Smith
    Favourite John J. Smith
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 2:48 PM

    @Jane Alford: The Gardai have always been under resourced and even some stations haven’t even a computer or wiFi. It would be unlikely that money would be allocated for your excellent idea.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brynþór Patrekursson
    Favourite Brynþór Patrekursson
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 4:37 PM

    @John J. Smith: detective Horkan was last year supporting calls for increased spend on tazers and vests. Ironically, it would have saved his life.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Maguire
    Favourite Seán Maguire
    Report
    Jun 18th 2020, 2:32 PM

    Terrible tragedy condolences to his family, colleagues and community.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam McGrath
    Favourite Liam McGrath
    Report
    Jun 19th 2020, 2:34 AM

    Patrick heard 5 shots, not a very credible witness, because it was later reported that there was 15 shots fired. I think he’s telling porkies.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.