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SIOBHÁN PHILLIPS WAS shot at point-blank range in the forehead by Adrian Crevan Mackin, the man who murdered Garda Tony Golden on 11 October 2015.
On that day, Siobhán had returned to the home she shared with Crevan Mackin to collect her things, after she had earlier been brutally beaten up by him. She was accompanied by Garda Tony Golden.
Adrian Crevan Mackin shot Golden dead, seriously injured Siobhán and then turned the gun on himself.
Siobhán now has a brain injury which will last for the rest of her life, she lost her eye and has had to have extensive facial reconstruction surgery. Siobhán has had to learn how to walk and talk again and has gone through extensive rehab. But she survived, her stepmother Norma Phillips told TheJournal.ie, who said Siobhán is now taking up a college course and is living independently.
Released on bail
In April of this year, RTÉ’s Prime Time programme called into question whether Crevan Mackin was in fact a garda informer.
The 24-year-old had previously admitted to possessing guns just nine months before he shot dead Garda Tony Golden.
However, despite those admissions, gardaí did not charge him with firearms and explosives offences and subsequently his bail was significantly reduced and he was released from Portlaoise prison.
Siobhán’s parents, Sean and Norma Philips, repeated their calls for public inquiry today into the circumstances of Crevan Mackin’s release on bail, how they were dealt with at the garda station when gardaí refused to take a statement after Siobhán had been beaten up by him, and why Garda Tony Golden was allowed go to Crevan Mackin’s home with Siobhan unaccompanied by another garda.
GSOC investigations
Two investigations are under way by the Garda Síochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), but the Phillips said they have no faith in them.
Speaking today, Sean Philips said their statement should have been taken that day after Siobhán was beaten up, Crevan Mackin should have been arrested for being in breach of his bail terms and their family should have been protected.
Addressing a number of Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil, and indepedent TDs and senators in Leinster House, Sean pleaded for the politicians to unite and fight for justice for his daughter and Garda Tony Golden.
Becoming visibly upset and breaking down in tears, Sean said that “for some reason a decision was made that put us all at risk,” he said.
Talking through tears
“It put Siobhán at risk, it put our family at risk, it put Garda Tony Golden at risk. Why the fuck was this guy not arrested,” he said, banging his fist on the table in tears.
Two days before Garda Tony Golden was shot dead, Siobhán suffered a sustained beating from Crevan Mackin. The 21-year-old, fearful for her life, turned to her family for help, and the next day she went to Dundalk garda station to make a statement.
Sean and Norma went with her to the station, where they queued up with other members of the public who were there for more mundane reasons, like renewing their passport.
“Siobhán was black and blue,” said Sean.
“We actually turned up at 3 o’clock on Saturday, which was 24 hours before the shooting exactly. When we went in we had to get into a queue and had wait for 40 minutes. But when we got there, there was point blank refusal to take a statement,” said Sean, who explained that they were told they would have to make a statement in Omeath station, where the garda said the incident had taken place.
Surely anyone that suffers from domestic violence should be able to go to any garda station in the country to make a statement about them suffering abuse, he said.
Siobhán was told she had to speak to Garda Tony Golden about the incident, but they were told he was not in work that day.
Refusing to take a statement
Sean said he could not believe what they were hearing, stating that his daughter was already in a panic that by coming to the police station for fear Crevan Mackin would kill her.
Sean said:
Siobhán’s face was black and blue, she had cut marks and finger marks on her throat, she had a knife wound on her leg. At this point we were all in fear for our lives. Not only was Crevan Mackin threatening to kill Siobhán, he was also threatening to kill Siobhán’s children, and myself and Norma.
“We were like swans peddling below the water, because we didn’t want Siobhán to see our anxiety because we were trying to reassure her that she was safe… she was getting more and more anxious at this stage, because at this stage Crevan Mackin didn’t know Siobhán was out of work and not coming home that night. He thought she had gone to work and would be home on the six o’clock bus, so she was getting more and more anxious,” said Norma.
They travelled to Daisy Hill hospital in Northern Ireland, where Sean said members of the PSNI said they were dumbfounded as to why the gardaí refused to take their statement, and said that it had to be taken in order for the gardaí to arrest Crevan Mackin.
The Phillips family later went to Omeath station, where they met with Garda Golden. He said he would go with Siobhán and her father to her home which she shared with Crevan Mackin to collect her things.
The murder of Tony Golden
Crevan Mackin’s car was parked outside when they arrived. Garda Golden told Sean Phillips to remain in the car so as not to aggravate Crevan Mackin.
Garda Golden and Siobhan Phillips opened the front door and entered the house. Words were exchanged between Crevan Mackin and Siobhán and he drew his gun on Siobhán and Garda Golden.
Sean said it was not easy to recount the story over and over again, and pleaded for cross-party support to get a public inquiry opened. He said this wasn’t just about the questions that surround Creven Mackin, but also about the wider issue as to how victims of domestic violence are treated.
He questioned how any young woman could have confidence in going to the gardaí to report an incident of abuse after how his daughter was treated.
The briefing by the family today was hosted by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams,who raised the issue in the Dáil earlier.
No reply from the Taoiseach
Speaking after the briefing, Adams said he supports the call for a full independent public inquiry.
“Crevan Mackin was previously arrested in January 2015 in possession of explosives and firearm, which he admitted. He was not charged with these offences but instead with an offence he had denied. It is also believed that some in An Garda Síochána knew he had access to other weapons.
“All of this is clear from a file that was sent to me and which I gave to the investigating officer in the Garda, to GSOC to the former Taoiseach and former Minister of Justice and to the current Taoiseach and the current Minister for Justice,” he said.
Earlier in the Dáil, Adams told the chamber he had written to the then Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, four times on the matter.
“I spoke to him a number of times about this case. I wrote to the Tánaiste who was Minister for Justice and Equality at the time eight times. I also spoke to her on many occasions. I gave information to the senior Garda officer investigating the case. I also wrote to GSOC. I wrote to the Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, in July about the concerns of the Phillips family on the response of the government to its demand for a public inquiry. I received no reply. I wrote again two weeks ago. I also received no reply,” said Adams.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan acknowledged the correspondence, which he said will be replied to at the earliest opportunity.
“Deputy Adams is aware that two independent investigations are currently under way, one with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. I assure Deputy Adams that there will be no delay in having these investigations completed. I expect to receive an early report on completion of the investigations and we will then see what action is warranted, in the circumstances,” he said.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “I assure the deputy that I will ensure he receives a reply.”
“It’s two years, and the family also have issues about the treatment they received when they brought Siobhán, who had been severely assaulted by Crevan Mackin, to Dundalk Garda station.
“The only way that all of the facts can be ascertained in a transparent and accountable way is through a public inquiry,” said Adams.
“What happened was horrific for both of our families, and now we are asking all TDs and senators for help, please help us,” said Sean.
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If you sign up for the army you are subject to their rules and regulations. If you break said rules you will be held accountable and punished under the penal system. This is the world you sign up to. You cannot cry foul because you all of a sudden don’t want to be there.
Actually it’s was an order or that was the rules is not an excuse
Actually it is a valid defence.
Tell that to the nazis . If wrong is being done to blindly follow because it’s the rules is as guilty as the system then .
Maxwell, it’s your type of thinking that leads to war crimes being committed.
By Godwin’s Law I have won this argument. It’s nothing to do with the Nazi’s. This is a case of espionage. He stole secrets and released them. I’m not talking about whether he was right or wrong. I’m merely saying he knew what he was doing was wrong, he knew the consequences of his actions, he knew the punishment. Yet, he still committed the crime. Amnesty, have no place getting involved. It’s not illegal detention any treatment he suffers is that of the US Army Prison service.
It is all about weather she was right or wrong . If she was wrong to do what she did then punish by all means . But as I see it she was right to do as she did so punishment of any kind is unjust .
If the USA(I) were not breaking rules and regulations manning,would not have had anything to disclose or uncover in the first place but let’s forget all about that shall we.
Mark, much as I agree with your opinions on this in this last case right and wrong doesn’t come into it. It’s a legal issue…which is the only way societies can work as different people have different views of what is right and wrong. Laws are objective (or should be).
No I understand that . You speed it’s points . But say you are rushing someone very ill to hospital I believe no points should be given and on more than one occasion the ags give an escorts . It’s about the moral right and wrong that is the real issue here . Laws of the land should not punish those who take the right path .
In the end of the day, the army relies on integrity and following orders for a very valid reason. Failure to follow orders can very well get you or others around you killed. It’s likely that some of the documents released by Manning and Wikileaks regarding classified troop movements and deployments could have put the lives of soldiers in jeopardy.
You break ranks and refuse to follow orders, you get punished.
Laws should not allow the extremes that the us have gone to in intelligence gathering . They should protect and support the ordinary citizen . Right and wrong here are the big issue
Just one of the thins he helped to expose..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0I6S8mva-s
“Things”
The US army didn’t show much integrity when they shot those journalists that were waving a white flag on the ground.
From what little I know of the case, Bradley Manning’s intention behind the leaks was to punish the system that was mistreating him. It wasn’t for the greater good, it was revenge. He’s not quite the crusader people think he is. Just my opinion, open to other views on this.
Actually it was one of her first duties as a soldier to report War Crimes, when she witnessed it. I’d say she did her duty. To mankind
“Actually it was one of her first duties as a soldier to report War Crimes, when she witnessed it.”
But the fact of the matter is Manning didn’t witness anything. Manning bulk-released a massive amount of confidential documentation rather than reporting on any one incident or multiple incidents to her superiors.
This wasn’t whistle-blowing, it was embittered revenge.
And by God wins law you have lost.
If you sign up for the Gardai you are subject to their rules and regulations. Oops! Thankfully whistleblowers that protect democracy here are not languishing behind bars for 35 years, even if it did take a bit of time to sort it out. Whistleblowers need protection, not prison, how can exposing corruption be wrong? Only the corrupt would think it is, even if they are only morally corrupt.
The Garda whistle-blowers didn’t bulk-release confidential Garda files to a Swedish organisation, they followed the correct legal proceedings for calling attention to issues within the Gardaí.
Your comparison is quite frankly weak.
Doubtful. They were ignored by the system here until it was discovered by the media. What do you think would happen when you go the the authorities in the US? It was hard enough here for whistleblowers so I would think, given that the US puts them in prison, they would be ignored. Whistleblowers need to be protected, the US government does the opposite of protection.
Different system, different results. But both were abused by the authorities they were reporting on. Your lack of vision in the comparing of two different systems is quite frankly weak. As is your moral compass and sense of democracy. You’re like Brooks in The Shawshank Redemption, institutionalised.
Of all the crimes underway in the world right now, why Bradley. It wouldn’t be just because he’s T in the LGBT.
Christians are being beheaded and crucified, there is no outcry about Mosul, but Colm chooses Bradley for his primary concern. It is very convenient at times being director of Amnesty, it can help in ones own personal concerns/agenda.
Amnesty have reported on the persecution and violence against Christian’s. Organisations can have an opinion on more than one topic but I understand how that concept may be hard for you to grasp as iona et al seem to focus on one topic.
@ Bryan Whaley
Bryan, Amnesty is an international organisation set up to stand against torture worldwide. It has long lost its focus, is a supporter of torture of the unborn, ie. abortion, and uses its decreasing influence to promote personal agendas such as Bryan, who is not being tortured, and in jail for valid reasons.
It now sickens me to see Amnesty collecting on the streets to pay for their director to make comments like this article. People just don’t realise that they are not acting against torture, just supporting abortion and personal agendas.
There has been no article here from Amnesty, decrying the crucifixions last week, or the beheadings.
Not newsworthy obviously.
Amnesty just support abortion now, nothing else? A quick glance at their website suggests otherwise. Is your personal animosity with the head of amnesty got to do with the charity one in four which highlighted clerical sex abuse? Would you have been happier if people pretended it didnt happen? It sickens me how catholic lobby groups do not make their accounts available to the oireachtas. How much does the leader of youth defence pay herself?
@ Bryan Whaley
No, I’m afraid the international organisation is united in its support of abortion. When the internal coup occurred, liberal directors were appointed all around the world over branches of amnesty.
But it good to remind people to reconsider where their charitable dollars are being spent.
I’d love to support an international organisation against torture, but amnesty is not one.
I do dislike persons who abuse the brand “amnesty”, once a noble entity; to collect for and support such rubbish cases as above. I’m not worried about individuals and their reputations, just the real vulnerable in society, which Amnesty now only gives token support.
I don’t think Eric Snowdon is the T in LGBT and is also backed by amnesty so you’re argument is a little silly.
@ Colin Kavanagh
Try as I may, I can’t see any mention of Eric Snowdon in the above article.
So why is the article about the one LGBT person, exclusively, and not the myriad of deserving causes. Are some more equal than others, officially.
Because Paddy (see last sentence in article), Amnesty brought up her case to mark the one year anniversary of her arrest.
@ Colin Kavanagh
You are dredging the bottom of the barrel for excuses. Let me put it this way, did amnesty have an article on the first anniversary of Snowdons effective imprisonment. His arrest in no way constitutes torture or injustice in any acceptable legal way. Colm’s gift of media attention is exclusively because he played the transgender card following his arrest.
More absurd histrionics from Amnesty International. ‘She’ pleaded guilty to 10 charges and is lucky not to have been sentenced to death. Why should anyone give a fig about this incarceration? If you wear the boots of a soldier, you march to the tune of the army, Sir.
‘The charge of the light brigade’ comes to mind
Same could be said of politicians, yet we are aghast when they are corrupt. Daft statement. If you were a soldier and you were told to kill a child would you do it? Orders are orders. “I was following orders”, greatest defense at Nuremburg.
“She”? Why the double quotes???
Freak!
Tool
Can’t all be perfect like you Kay. Fortunately.
Shag off Kris!!
Well if you employee someone like Chelsea Manning ,
You are only looking for trouble.
In fairness he is a few sandwiches short of a picnic.
Why
Dermot is probably one of those people who for some reason has an opinion on transgender people
One has to wonder about the checks and balances in place in the U.S. military when a psychological basket case like Bradley Manning was allowed access to secret intelligence.
“Please release him let him go”…so he can get a decent haircut!!!
So pro Israeli antics and anti transgender. Your a wonderful specimen taxi bill. I wouldn’t call you for a lift though. I’d say you burn the ear off passengers.
If he had a grievance there are a set of regulations and procedures to follow. When he made contact with Assange he disregarded all the other legal avenues open to him. And with the assistance of Assange stole classified material and passed it to an unauthorized third party. And when arrested admitted to the charge and pleaded guilty in his Court Marshall to all the charges laid against him.
So I don’t see why he should be given special consideration.
have your say