Taoiseach Enda Kenny has paid tribute to Garda Anthony Golden, fatally shot while on duty in Co Louth yesterday.
"This is a terrible tragedy and obviously a full report will be made by the Commissioner and the Minister for Justice," he said.
"It puts into context the work that members of the gardaí do everyday all over the country, it is another unfortunate and tragic incident for gardaí who have given their lives to the profession that they have chosen."
Garda Golden was stationed at Omeath Garda Station and met a woman by appointment at the station yesterday afternoon .
He took a statement from her about domestic abuse and then went with her and her father back to a house at Mullach Alainn.
Garda Golden went inside with the woman to retrieve her personal belongings while her father remained outside.
It was then that the fatal shooting took place.
Adrian Crevan Mackin was named locally as the man involved in the shooting. He also shot the woman before killing himself. She is in a serious condition in hospital.
The 24-year-old was known to gardaí as a dissident republican who was facing charges before the Special Criminal Court and was out on bail.
Garda Golden lived in Blackrock in Co Louth. He was married with three young children.
The scene at Mullach Alainn in Omeath where a Garda was killed last night. pic.twitter.com/VVMVDjPPLa
— Sinéad Hussey (@SineadHus) October 12, 2015
No support for dissident gangs in Louth - Gerry Adams
Commenting on the death of Garda Golden, Sinn Féin President and TD for Louth Gerry Adams said there is no support for violent dissident gangs in the county and the vast majority of republicans in the area are active supporters of the peace process.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke Mr Adams said "there is no support in Louth for these so-called violent dissident gangs."
"Whatever they may have initially, when some of them refused to accept the Sinn Féin peace strategy, whatever basis for disagreement with us they might have had, all of that has now dwindled away into the type of criminality which has robbed this garda of his life."
Mr Adams said he was deeply shocked at the deaths and said his thoughts were with the garda, his family and his colleagues.
He described Garda Golden as "a professional and friendly garda who wholly embraced the community."
He said Crevan Mackin was not known to him.
In a statement Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said she is appalled by the loss of life.
"The fact that a garda has laid down his life while protecting the community is a cause of great sadness. His death will be mourned by the entire nation, grateful for the service which he gave to it," she said.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Fitzgerald said she is "shocked, saddened and appalled" at the death of Garda Golden.
She extended her condolences to his family, extended family, community and colleagues.
She said the tragedy was a stark reminder of the dangers gardaí face on a daily basis.
"Here was a young garda ... going out and doing his job and it ends in tragic circumstances like this ... it takes courage to do their job, I've always said that, it takes courage to respond, to go out, to face the unknown as they do on a daily basis."
Ms Fitzgerald said that there was a full investigation going on to determine the precise circumstances surrounding Garda Golden's death.
Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan met with the team investigating the murder at Dundalk Garda Station today.
The commissioner attended a case conference at the station in Dundalk and visited Omeath Garda Station to meet with colleagues of Garda Tony Golden.
She is expected to visit the scene of the shooting later.
She also visited Garda Golden's family home this evening.
Commissioner O'Sullivan described the incident as a "terrible tragedy".
She also said the fatal shooting highlights the dangers gardaí face during the course of their duty and that they put themselves in harm's way every day in the interest of serving the community.
President Michael D Higgins contacted the commissioner to offer his condolences "on the terrible loss".
He described the incident as "most serious and tragic" and expressed his deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of the deceased garda.
He said his thoughts are also with all others affected by the event.
A book of condolences has been opened at Dundalk Garda Station.
Books of condolences have also been opened at Limerick City Hall, Limerick County Hall, Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick and at the Clare County Council Office in Ennis.
