Dale occupies a moment of silence in memory of Representative David Ames

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A moment of silence was observed in Dell this afternoon in memory of Representative David Amis, who was stabbed to death while meeting voters last week.

Ames, 69, has been an MP since 1983, mortally wounded while meeting voters. A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin offered his condolences to the Amess family on behalf of the entire Government and all members of the House of Representatives.

He was needlessly killed while meeting and serving his constituents last Friday in Southend-on-Sea. Holding clinics is something we do as elected representatives as part of our public service to the communities we serve.

“Face-to-face interaction with voters is what makes our work so worthwhile and productive. It is an essential part of our democracy and we must do everything in our power to protect and sustain it.

Martin said the killing was an «attack on democracy.»

“One cannot help but be moved by the extraordinary expressions of solidarity and friendship from his constituents and the people he serves, who spoke of him so eloquently. It is a wonderful legacy as a politician to have.

He added: «I sincerely hope that Sir David’s wife Julia and his four daughters will find some relief from these kind comments as they come to terms with their deep and very sad personal loss.»

Mary Lou MacDonald of Sinn Féin expressed her sympathy on behalf of her party, saying:

«To his wife Julia, his children and their wider families we send our deepest condolences. The job of public service and public representation is all about people. It’s about getting close to people and sometimes very personally, so his loss sends a shock wave not only through the British system but internationally.

«For all of us who are so proud to be elected and to represent our fellow citizens, we share in the shock of the voters of Southend West, David’s constituency, who I have no doubt were shocked, shocked and saddened by his loss.»

Labour’s Jade Nash said the killing of David Amis reminded us all of the brutal murder of British Labor MP, Joe Fox, five years ago.

David Amis shouldn’t have died this way while working as a general representative. No public representative or public servant should die this way. The genesis of the kind of hatred that led to this brutal murder needs us all to reflect it.

This country is not immune. Our national parliament, by which I mean these councils, has a role in reducing division. How we act here and online is watched. The good example of being able to argue fiercely but disagree with more respect should be shown here. Oftentimes, our standards fall short.»

We now live in a «more divided and unequal world, and political rhetoric has been rough, which has made politics even more toxic,» said Social Democrat Catherine Murphy.

“However, a line has been crossed here. We cannot look for excuses because there are no excuses for what happened to David Amis.

After honoring Amess and his family, the TDs stood for a moment of silence.