REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR SHARON COMMINS, ARAS AN UACHTARÁIN
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR SHARON COMMINS, ARAS AN UACHTARÁIN THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2009
Dia dhíbh a cháirde agus fáilte céad míle fáilte chuig Áras an Uachtaráin inniu. I am delighted to welcome Sharon, her parents Agatha and Mark, her brothers Martin and Derek and their spouses Áine and Aisling.
Sharon, you and your family and your good friend Hilda Kawuki, have lifted the spirits of this nation. Your kidnapping on the 3rd of July provoked an outpouring of concern, prayer and solidarity that grew with each long passing day. Your safe return home has brought huge joy to your parents and siblings, your friends and colleagues and to that other large family that you are a member of the family of the Gael. The qualities and values which drove you to undertake work among the world’s poorest and most vulnerable are the same as those which kept you going through a dreadful, hellish personal ordeal. We are so proud of you and of Hilda and we wish for you both that the days ahead will be a time of healing and return to health. You come from a wonderful family, whose stoicism and faith during their long days and nights of worry and anxiety was also remarkable.
In one of her interviews, Sharon remarked on the huge lift and hope she gleaned from a phone call with her mother Agatha, 70 days into her captivity. It is a stunning example of the transformative power of love and of care for one another. Your family, your community, your colleagues and your government never gave up and I know the Commins family have been loud in their praise of Minister Martin, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, the Garda Siochana and the Defence Forces and all those involved in the very delicate, dangerous work of securing your safe release. Their care for you and your family infused this dreadful situation with hope and with their meticulously careful and effective action brought you home. To all those involved in that team headed by Minister Martin, I offer warmest thanks and congratulations. That team received important and invaluable assistance from the Sudanese Authorities and the UN and they too are due our sincere gratitude.
As we gather in celebration today we remember the many Irish missionaries and NGOs whose lives are given in service of the poor and the overlooked. They perform an exceptional ambassadorship for our country and for our values. Among them is the Columban priest Fr. Michael Sinnott whose release from captivity in the Phillipines we also pray for earnestly.
Sharon, on the journey back to full health and peace of heart you are in the best of hands out in Clontarf. Thanks for sharing your story with us and for how proud and uplifted you have made us all feel this week.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.