Taoiseach pays warm tribute to garda tony golden
AN Taoiseach has paid tribute to Ballina-born Garda Tony Golden who lost his life during the course of duty in Omeath, Co. Louth, last Sunday.
Deputy Enda Kenny: 'Words cannot describe this terrible tragedy. Garda Golden was taken out in the course of his duty. The entire nation mourns his death.
'He has been described as a community garda and that is what he was. A big man in every respect and a man who had a huge wealth of common sense in how he went about his business.
'My sympathies and those of the nation are with his wife Nicola and his three small children, with his parents, Davy and Breege, and his brothers and sister.
'When I heard Garda Golden’s name, I immediately enquired about a western connection. The reality is brought home to people even more here in Mayo, as many people across the county know the Golden family.
'The Minister for Justice was in touch with me a number of times in the past 24 hours. The Garda Commissioner and the garda force will issue a full report shortly on the exact circumstances of what happened
'Again I pay tribute to this young garda who has paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.'