.
THE news from Omeath about the shooting dead of Garda Tony Golden was horrendous to hear.
The circumstances in which he lost his life got me thinking about the work that the Garda force do. They are responsible for protecting us and while doing so they put their own lives at risk.
Garda Golden was unarmed when he entered the house after responding to a 999 call about a domestic incident. The fact that the killer was out on bail raises a lot of issues once again. Getting back to the work our Gardai do, we really as a nation should be grateful to them.
Continued below…
.
I for one, am sick and tired of hearing negative comments about wasted resources protecting water meter installers. At the end of the day they do the job that they are instructed to do.
When someone is killed doing their job it is always sad, but when a member of the community whose purpose is to serve and protect us, is killed at the hands of a criminal it really is a tragedy.
Today, a woman is without her husband and three young children are without their father. His parents are without their son. I have no doubt that his colleagues will also be devastated about his death.
Continued below…
I have a few friends who are guards and one thing I do know about them is that they offer each other comfort and support in difficult times.
At one stage or another in the past, I am sure that you have cursed a guard when doing his/her job, be it for them catching you speeding or for having a late drink (they are always the best) and they clear the premises.
I know that I certainly have. Next time (fingers crossed that won’t happen) I will take my punishment and learn a lesson.
Guards have a very difficult job to do, they are the ones who have to break the news of tragedies to families, they are the ones who have to knock on the door and tell a mother or father that their son or daughter has been killed in whatever circumstances.
It is a devastating time for all those affected in the Omeath tragedy and for us as a nation it should drill the message home that we have to do something about our bail laws.
Most of the deplorable crimes we are hearing about of late seem to be perpetrated by scumbags who are either out on bail with a string of convictions, the Tiger kidnapping in Tipperary is a prime example.
Today I will light a candle for Garda Tony Golden and when I do, I will also light one for all of the members of the force who protect us and keep us safe.
RIP Garda Golden
Until next week,
Stay safe!
Orlagh xx
