Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan speech at Opening of Memorial Garden to honour Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe & Garda Tony Golden 03 October 2025

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Distinguished guests,

Family and friends of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe & Garda Tony Golden,

Serving and retired members of An Garda Síochána,

It is a privilege to be here with you today as we open this memorial garden.

Today, we dedicate this space to the enduring memory of two men who served their communities, and the State, with distinction and honour.

May it be a place to reflect, to remember, and to revere the lives of two remarkable men.

May it be a place where the memories of both Adrian and Tony are cherished, and where their example will continue to inspire all who visit, now and for generations to come.

Every day, Gardaí across Ireland protect our communities.

They show bravery in the face of danger.

They put the welfare of others before their own.

They stand between us and harm, safeguarding our communities and our freedoms.

Sometimes, tragically, that service comes at the highest possible cost.

When a Garda is lost in the line of duty, it is an immense loss felt by the men and women of An Garda Síochána, by the community they served and by the country but most deeply by their family and friends.

We gather to honour that sacrifice and to remember the values Adrian and Tony embodied – their courage, their compassion, and their commitment to others.

Adrian Donohoe served for 19 years and was awarded the Gold Scott Medal, the highest honour for bravery that can be conferred on a member of An Garda Síochána.

That award recognised his exceptional courage, his determined public service, and his fearless dedication to his fellow citizens and to the State.

Adrian was born in January 1972 in Kilnaleck, County Cavan, the eldest of six children.

On the family farm, he learned responsibility, kindness, and the value of hard work.

His parents, Peggy and Hugh, lost a son who never missed Mother’s Day, and who brought his siblings home from abroad for a surprise birthday party.

As a gifted sportsman, Adrian represented Cavan in inter-county football at Under‑21 level.

He was large in stature and in personality, with an infectious enthusiasm for life.

Courageous, upright, and honest, he was an example of all that is good about our country.

Adrian rose to the rank of Detective and was respected as a popular, effective, and efficient Garda.

His death was not only an attack on An Garda Síochána, but on the society he served.

His wife, Caroline, and their children, Amy and Niall, have faced too many milestones without him. We stand with them today and always will.

Tony Golden was born in Ballina, County Mayo. He made his home in Louth and in this community. He wore the Garda uniform with distinction and pride for 11 years.

His colleagues and superiors knew him as an exemplary Garda. He was professional, community‑focused, and dedicated to settling issues with calm resolve and a deep sense of duty and care.

When his life was tragically taken on 11 October 2015, Tony was helping a young woman escape domestic violence.

He died selflessly, protecting others, as an example of valour.

Tony was a devoted family man. A loving son to his parents Breege and David, a devoted husband to Nicola, and a proud father to Andrew, Lucy, and Alex.

For the past decade, the Garda Tony Golden Memorial Cycle has raised more than €150,000 for charity.

This achievement is a testament to the man he was, the dedication of those who knew him and the enduring support of a community that refuses to forget him.

Adrian and Tony stood in the face of danger to protect the freedoms we all enjoy.

Today we all stand with their families and loved ones, and we always will.

This garden will honour the legacy of Adrian Donohoe and Tony Golden.

I wish to thank all of those who have helped to make this memorial a reality.

May it be a place of quiet retreat for those seeking comfort, and a place of inspiration for future generations.

To the families of Adrian and Tony, we offer our deepest gratitude for the service and sacrifice of your loved ones.

To the members of An Garda Síochána, we commit to supporting you in your work and to upholding the values your colleagues lived by.

May their courage, their compassion, and their commitment never be forgotten.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.