Sports award for Mayo garda killed on duty
Gd Tony Golden was killed in the line of duty at just 36 years of age while attending to a domestic violence complaint in Omeath, Co Louth, on October 11, 2015.
A Mayo garda who was killed in the line of duty has been honoured for his contribution to communities through sport.
The posthumous award was given to the late Garda Tony Golden at the Cóiste Siamsa Sportstar awards on Friday night.
Ballina native Tony Golden was shot dead while on duty in Omeath in October 2015 and was one of two gardaí recognised for at Friday’s ceremony in Co Cavan, alongside the late Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe who was murdered during the armed robbery of Lordship Credit Union in Co Louth in January 2013.
Cóiste Siamsa is the national governing body of sporting clubs in the garda organisation and at the awards, Garda Tony Golden was described as a "very popular team mate", a "hard worker on and off the pitch" and that the effort he put into sport “was reflected in his commitment to An Garda Síochána, the community in Omeath and the Cooley Peninsula where Tony loved to serve.”
Garda Golden originally played hurling with Ballina Stephenites GAA Club to senior level, as well as for Mayo at under-16 and minor level. The Anthony Golden Community Trust was established in the wake of his death to develop a recreational park and hub for his hometown community.
Cavan native Detective Garda Donohoe was also remembered on Friday as someone who "epitomised the very ethos of An Garda Síochána and what it means to be for and with the community". He represented Crosserlough GAA Club at underage, minor and under-21 level, as well as his county at minor and under-21s.
In attendance at the Cóiste Siamsa Sportstar awards were Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Republic of Ireland soccer manager Stephen Kenny.
