COVERAGE of the death of a Tralee youth in a tabloid newspaper was strongly criticised by the Taoiseach and a Fianna Fail deputy.

The matter was raised on the Order of Business by Dr Jim McDaid (FF, Donegal North East), who said that the photograph in one of the tabloid newspapers showed "a deplorable insensitivity to the family of the young man murdered".

Mr Bruton said that one of the characteristics of any civilisation was respect for the dead. "I think that matter, to which the deputy refers, indicates a lack of civilisation on the part of the people concerned. I think civilised standards are not something that simply are for application by politicians. Those who preach civilised standards at politicians should also practise them."