FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS and colleagues of murdered garda Tony Golden set off on a two-day cycle this morning in his honour.
There are 61 cyclists making their way from Blackrock in Co Louth to Ballina in Co Mayo to raise money for a fund for Golden’s three children.
The garda was shot dead in Omeath last year when he called to a house with a domestic violence victim so she could collect her belongings. His one year anniversary is next month.
Among the cyclists setting off this morning were three of Golden’s brothers – Dave, Ken and Seán – as well as a number of garda colleagues.
Garda Neil O’Malley, who worked with Golden for a number of years, said he was always “very well-liked” in the community and there has been huge support from local people and businesses.
He was just a big, friendly guy, I’m not sure he would have described himself like that, but everyone would describe him as that. No badness about him whatsoever.
‘We lost two people’
The loss of Garda Golden came just two years after the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, killed during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Dundalk. Tomorrow, Garda Donohoe will be posthumously awarded with the Scott Medal for his exceptional courage and bravery on the day he died.
The two men shared many friends and colleagues and O’Malley said the losses “definitely brought people closer together”.
“We lost two people in a very short period and with Adrian getting the medal tomorrow, the timing of the cycle is poignant too,” he said.
Anytime their names are mentioned, they’ll always be remembered for the way they died. They made the ultimate sacrifice.
Cyclists involved in the charity event passed by Golden’s house in Blackrock, where his children joined for a short period, before stopping for a minute’s silence at his grave. They hope to reach Ballina by 4.30pm tomorrow afternoon.
All of the proceeds from the cycle will go to the Tony Golden Memorial, which was set up to support his three young children.
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