Sadly, when Garda Tony Golden entered the house he was confronted by 24-year-old Adrian Mackin from Co. Down, who is believed to have been a member of the IRA.
Mackin then proceeded to pull a handgun on the 36-year-old and shot him while he stood in the hall of the house. He also shot the woman before turning the gun on himself.
It is believed that Tony Golden was pronounced dead at the scene while the woman was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital where she is said to be in a stable condition.
Tony was only recently assigned to the new position at the Co. Louth station, having been previously based in Cabinteely, Co. Dublin. He is survived by his three children, all of whom are under the age of eight, and his wife, Nicola.
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has said that she is “shocked, saddened and appalled” by his death, going on to add that he “will be mourned by the entire nation”.
Highlighting the fact that An Garda Síochána put themselves in dangerous positions every day, local councillor Richie Culhane, himself a former Garda, extended his condolences to Tony’s young family.
“It points to the fact that Louth remains a very dangerous place to work for members of An Garda Síochána. It also points to the fact that members of An Garda Síochána put themselves in dangerous situations every day.”
