Country shares horror & sorrow
I CAN do nothing but express my horror at the killing of Ashling Murphy.
It is hard to imagine the agony her family and friends are suffering.
Unfortunately I can empathise with some of those feelings. In 1989, Tim Kidman the gamekeeper on the Slane Estate was shot dead. My PA and I found his body.
After the profound shock of the killing, other pressures pile on, the investigation, dealing with an intrusive media, the whole process is shattering.
They say time heals and to an extent that is true but some of the wounds stay. Afterwards nothing will be the same. The family and friends are in my prayers.
The wave of public reaction has rightly provoked a national debate about violence against women.
Certainly, listening to my youngest daughter about the normal precautions that she takes when out and about was enlightening and shocking. Take the carrying of keys to be used as a weapon when attacked.
Not something I would normally consider, but for her and her generation now normal practice.
There is cross-party support behind introducing measures to curb violence against women.
Helen Mcentee our Justice Minister is the right person at the right time.
She will by Easter bring forward legislation to make stalking and non-lethal strangulation standalone offences. With the full support of the Taoiseach, who has articulated zero tolerance against violence to women, genuine progress will be made.
Returning to the conversation that must have taken place in many homes, there is an acknowledgement that more deep-seated problems are here.
A lot revolves around boundaries and respect and that can only be transmitted by parents or taught at school. We have at least started a national debate.