The parents of Siobhan Phillips have praised the bravery of murdered Garda Anthony Golden who was shot dead by the young woman's partner in Omeath.
Ms Phillips (21) and a mother-of-two, has been fighting for her life in a Dublin hospital since she was shot by her partner Adrian Crevan Mackin at their home in the Co Louth town on Sunday.
Armed with a Glock handgun, Mackin, a suspected dissident republican, then fatally shot 36-year-old Garda Golden before turning the gun on himself.
The Omeath-based Garda, who was a father of three, had accompanied the young mother to the house she had shared with Mackin to collect personal belongings after she had complained of being the victim of a domestic assault.
Ms Phillips’ father Sean, who had accompanied his daughter, had been advised by Garda Golden to wait in the car outside the house. He raised the alarm after hearing the shots.
The grieving father and his wife Norma issued a statement today paying tribute to the officer and expressing condolences to his family and colleagues in An Garda Síochána.
“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.
“Our beautiful daughter Siobhan, a loving mother, sister and friend, is fighting for her life. For now, we pray for Siobhan's recovery and for the family of Garda Golden as they face their immeasurable grief,” the couple said.
They also appealed for privacy for the family and their young grandchildren.
Garda Golden is reposing at the Blackrock home he shared with his wife Nicola and three young children from 3pm until 7pm today, before being taken to the local St Oliver Plunkett Church for a state funeral tomorrow.
