The State funeral of Garda Tony Golden has heard he is mourned by the entire nation.
The 36-year-old's funeral cortege was escorted to the Church of St Oliver Plunkett in Blackrock in Co Louth by thousands of uniformed officers.
Mourners including the President, the Taoiseach and the Garda Commissioner have joined the Golden family at the service – ahead of Garda Golden's private burial later.
Over two thousand uniformed gardai led their colleague Tony Golden's coffin into St Oliver Plunkett's Church overlooking Dundalk Bay in Blackrock.
It was there that 300 mourners including his wife Nicola – his three young children Lucy, Alex and Andrew – and his parents David and Breege – were joined by the President, the Taoiseach and Garda Commissioner to say a final farewell to a man remembered as a hero.
Chief Celebrant, local parish priest Fr Padraig Keenan says the pain of Tony Golden's death has been heartbreaking.
Tony's brothers Kenneth and David said the Readings – while his friends brought a Ballina Stephanites GAA jersey to the alter; his family brought photographs – and his garda colleagues brought a can of Coke, a bag of crisps and a drifter bar – and a remote control.
In his homily, Father Keenan said Tony Golden's murder while protecting domestic abuse victim Siobhan Phillips was 'evil and cold blooded'.
He says the nation mourns Tony Golden's death.
Tony Golden will now be buried at a private ceremony in St Paul's Cemetery in Heynestown.