DURING a specially arranged debate in the Seanad Mr David Norris (Ind) said he wanted to convey a message to the sniper who had carried out Wednesday's Bessbrook killing.
"I say to that man, you are a brute, a coward, a disgrace to this island. I sincerely hope that in coming years, when your conscience, if you have one, begins to work, that it tortures you as the family and the girlfriend of this young man must be tortured."
Mr Norris referred to the publicity which had been given to a road sign in Crossmaglea, proclaimiag "Sniper at work". He added: "I would ask the people around that area are they proud of that sign today. Has anyone the courage to take it down and tell the IRA exactly what they think?"
Mr Sean Maloney (Lab) condemned the "callous act" but he said the situation in Northern Ireland would not change if they did not put in place a basis for talks.
Sinn Fein had been ready to compromise and leave the attainment of a united Ireland on the back burner, he said. Since the ceasefire, Britain had done nothing to move the process, forward.