Funeral mass for 'brave' Garda Anthony Golden to take place at noon on Thursday

The family have advised that any donations, if desired, can be given to the North Louth Hospice and Homecare Foundation, The Ramparts, Dundalk, Co. Louth or on www.mycharity.ie.

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Update 1.52pm: Gardaí have advised the public of the roads that will be closed for the State Funeral of Garda Anthony Golden tomorrow.

The following roads in the Blackrock area, County Louth will be closed from 10am tomorrow.

- Old Golf Links Road, Blackrock from the junction with the Dublin Road

- Sandy Lane, Blackrock from the junction with Rock Road to junction with Main Street.

- Sea front from junction of Coast Road/Rock Road through Blackrock to Seafield Road junction.

- Partial closure on Rock Road between Old Golf Links Road & Sandy Lane junctions for duration of procession.

- Traffic & parking restrictions on routes are highlighted in blue on map provided.

Gardaí have advised people travelling to the funeral to use the highlighted public car parks in the area.

The above road closures will start at 10am and are expected to reopen at approximately 2pm.

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Updated 12.36pm: The parents of Siobhan Phillips who was critically injured in Sunday's shooting in Omeath in Co Louth have paid tribute to Garda Anthony Golden who was shot dead in the same incident.

Both Siobhan and Garda Golden were shot in a domestic violence incident at her home.

Her parents have issued a statement expressing condolences to the family and colleagues of Garda Anthony Golden.

They said he laid down his life for their daughter Siobhan.

“We would like to pay tribute to and express our condolences to the family and colleagues of Garda Anthony Golden,” they said in a statement.

“Garda Golden, in the service and protection of others, laid down his life for my daughter Siobhan, myself and my family.

“There are no words to express our gratitude for his bravery, we are forever in his debt.”

Mr and Mrs Phillips said their “beautiful daughter Siobhan, a loving mother, sister and friend” is still fighting for her life at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

“For now, we pray for Siobhan’s recovery and for the family of Garda Golden as they face their immeasurable grief,” they said.

“We ask for privacy for our family and Siobhan’s small children at this time.”

Garda Anthony Golden was shot dead in the line of duty by 24-year-old Adrian Crevan Mackin at the home of Siobhan Phillips in Omeath in Co Louth on Sunday night.

Siobhan was critically wounded in the incident.

It is understood Mackin had subjected Siobhan Phillips to a violent assault on Friday, after which she left the house. She and her father returned on Sunday afternoon to collect some belongings.

Garda Golden advised her father to stay outside, and followed Siobhan into the house. She went upstairs, where Mackin shot her. Garda Golden tried to run up the stairs when he heard the shots, and was himself shot dead. Mackin then turned the gun on himself.

Her parents have issued a statement expressing condolences to the family and colleagues of Garda Golden.

Garda Golden will be laid to rest tomorrow following funeral mass at noon in St Oliver Plunkett Church, Blackrock, Co Louth.

The Dáil and Seanad will not sit tomorrow due to the State funeral for Garda Tony Golden.

Both houses of the Oireachtas took the decision this morning.

It has also been decided that all committee meetings have also been cancelled as a mark of respect.

Gardaí from all over the country are expected to attend.