Courts / Dublin / Report

Gardai describe life-changing impact of shootout in which gunman tried to murder them

Date
2022-11-28

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a 2021 incident, Daniel Goulding, a 39‑year‑old diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, fired a semi‑automatic pistol and a sub‑machine gun at two Gardaí outside his home, forcing them to take cover behind their patrol car for nearly 30 minutes. The gunfire lasted three and a half minutes, during which both officers were shot in the legs and one in the hand. The shooting ceased after Garda Brendan O'Hora intervened, persuading Goulding to surrender his firearms. Goulding pleaded guilty to attempting to murder the two officers. He has 33 prior convictions, including a 2009 ten‑year sentence for misuse of drugs. The Central Criminal Court will sentence him next Friday, with the DPP noting his psychotic episode at the time of the offence but not a premeditated intent to kill. The case remains at the sentencing stage. Daniel Goulding was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Gardai describe life-changing impact of shootout in which gunman tried to murder them. Charges or matters: attempting to murder the two gardai, who cannot be named due to a court order; the attempted murder of the two detectives at his family home on May 25, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Not guilty by reason of insanity

When:

May 25, 2021 Other
2010 to 2013 Incident
2022-11-28 Publication

Case subjects

Daniel Goulding

Accused

Charges: attempting to murder the two gardai, who cannot be named due to a court order; the attempted murder of the two detectives at his family home on May 25, 2021 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Finding: Not guilty by reason of insanity

Outcome: Not guilty by reason of insanity; He believed that "parties were coming to get him" and he "lost it", counsel said, adding: "He was, at all times, struggling with mental health issues." He asked the court to suspend a portion of Goulding's sentence to allow him to reintegrate into society.