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Garda Tony Golden RIP
The father of a woman critically injured in a domestic dispute alerted gardaí to shots which left Garda Tony Golden and a gunman dead, investigating gardaí said today.
At a press conference at Dundalk Garda Station, Supt Gerry Curley said Garda Golden, a father-of-three, had taken a statement from a woman by prior arrangement on Sunday afternoon regarding a complaint of alleged domestic abuse.
Afterwards, Garda Golden, accompanied by the woman and her father, went to her home at 16 Mullach Alainn, Omeath.
Both Garda Golden and the woman entered the house, while her father remained outside.
“Shortly afterwards gunshots were heard in the house. Her father immediately raised the alarm and the gardaí were contacted by way of 999,” Supt Curley said.
When emergency services responded, they found the body of Garda Golden with a number of gunshot wounds which proved to be fatal.
The woman’s partner, dissident republican Adrian Crevan Mackin, was found with a fatal gunshot wound.
The woman received a number of “serious gunshot wounds” and is in a critical condition in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. It is understood the couple have been together for several years since the woman finished school four years ago and have two children, both under the age of four. The children were not in the house at the time of the shooting.
Supt Curley said a firearm was recovered at the scene.
“A full investigation is now underway into all aspects surrounding this incident,” he said.
Speaking at the press conference, Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan said it was a “sad and tragic” day for the force and local community.
Garda Golden was originally from Ballina, Co Mayo, and was the father of two girls and a boy under the age of eight.
He had been living in Blackrock, Co Louth, with his family and was based in Omeath Garda station.
“I’m particularly mindful that this is the second tragedy that has been visited on the local community here and, in particular, the members in Dundalk district,” the commissioner said.
She said some of the gardaí at the scene of the shooting on Sunday were also on the scene of the fatal shooting of detective Adrian Donohoe in Belurgan in January 2013, following a botched raid.
Nobody has yet been charged with Garda Donohoe’s killing.
“It is a very traumatic time. An investigation has commenced and all aspects of the investigation will be completely followed,” she said.
Commissioner O’Sullivan also paid tribute to Garda Golden’s dedication and service over his 11 years in the force.
“Tony was a very respected member who was held in high esteem. He lived in the community, he worked in the community and he served the community,” Ms O’Sullivan said.
“He served the community with dignity, pride and distinction. He was a very proud family man.. the loss is unthinkable for Nicola, her parents and the extended family.”
When questioned over issues of personal safety for Garda Golden given the threat posed by Crevan Mackin, Ms O’Sullivan said investigations were continuing.
“There are dangerous people right throughout the community. Without going into the circumstance of this case, there is an investigation underway, all the circumstances leading up to these tragic events will be fully established,” she said.
“It’s not appropriate to comment further at this time over any of the individuals involved, other than to say … there is always that unknown factor,” she said.
“So, when people go about their duty, they go about it with diligence, bravery and courage, without fear or favour. I think that’s a very important thing to remember on a day like today.
“The job the men and women of An Garda Síochána do, they do it courageously, bravely and unfortunately as of today 88 members have lost their lives in tragic ways…”
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