Big gentle giant laid to rest

MURDERED Garda Tony Golden was remembered today as a 'big, gentle giant', a happy man who was proud to serve, and a role model for the community.

President Michael D. Higgins and Taoiseach Enda Kenny were among the thousands of mourners who attended the State funeral of Garda Golden, a native of Ballina, in Blackrock, Co. Louth, this afternoon.

In his homily, Fr. Pádraig Keenan tod mourners that Garda Golden was the 88th garda to die in the line of duty and like all others, he was mourned by the entire nation.

Fr. Keenan described his killing as 'cold-blooded murder'. He added that too many hearts have been broken and too many lives shattered.

There is no place for violence in our society, violence is wrong, always wrong, he said.

The father-of-three was shot dead on Sunday as he went to the aid of a woman who was the victim of domestic violence.

Among the thousands paying their respects at his funeral were 4,000 serving and retired gardaí, including over 2,000 in uniform.