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GARDA COMMISSIONER DREW Harris has named the officer who was shot and killed last night as Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
The garda died while on duty following an incident in Castlerea which happened shortly before midnight. It is believed that his official firearm was taken from him during the incident and he was shot with it.
One man has been arrested in connection with the investigation and is currently being detained in Castlerea Garda Station.
In a statement this morning, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: “I am deeply saddened by the death of my colleague Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
My thoughts, and the thoughts of all personnel in An Garda Síochána, are with the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea Garda Station and the Detective Unit he served in.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, and Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins have led tributes to Detective Garda Horkan.
“Every day our Gardaí put themselves on the frontline of crime prevention, on behalf of all of us. This requires regular acts of bravery and courage,” Varadkar said.
Detective Garda Horkan has been described as an “experienced detective greatly respected by colleagues”, and the incident has been described “truly shocking”, and “a huge blow to the force”.
The Detective Garda served in An Garda Síochána for 24 years; the Garda Commissioner said that he is the 89th member of An Garda Síochána killed in the line of duty.
This is the third incident in recent years where a garda was killed while on duty: Garda Adrian Donohoe was killed on 25 January 2013, and Garda Tony Golden was killed on 11 October 2015.
“Today is a terrible reminder of the significant sacrifices, including the ultimate sacrifice, that gardaí make to keep people safe,” Commissioner Harris said.
I want to thank the local community in Castlerea and the country as a whole for the support they have shown to An Garda Síochána and individual gardaí even in the short time since the incident.
Gardaí are investigating the fatal shooting, and are appealing for those with information, or who witnessed this incident, to contact Castlerea Garda Station at 094 962 1635.
- with reporting from Christine Bohan
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Colm was an outstanding member of An Garda Síochána. His big smile and ever happy attitude was exemplary. He will be missed greatly in the Ballaghaderreen, Castlerea and Charlestown areas.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
RIP. Condolences to Garda Horkan’s family and colleagues.
RIP
This is just devastating.
The person that did this will get life in prison and completely deserve it!
@Tricia G: you do not know that… the person could have been suffering from a mental health issue….
@Paul O’Sullivan: Not the time to be pedantic Paul
@Tricia G: yes its tragic, and RIP to the poor man that died in service to the state. But the people who killed Gerry McCabe were only convicted of manslaughter and got lenient sentences, after which they were lauded by many current members of the opposition party in waiting. Justice isn’t always served correctly.
@Paul O’Sullivan: Mental issues or no mental issues he shouldn’t see the light of day again…..
@Connoroconner: Never miss an opportunity to throw mud eh…?There is a time to play politics football and this isnt it
@James Fenlon: all quick to judge maybe the very arm should not be visable to an unstable person…
@Connoroconner: True, however the conviction on manslaughter was largely due to the campaign of intimidation carried out against the witnesses in the case.
@A2 Poster: He’s right though….mental health is always a great get-out clause, used every time
@Paul O’Sullivan: strawman argument at its best. Unless you’ve insider information then that’s wild speculation. Regardless of mental health state when you take someone else’s weapon and the kill them you are a threat to society, said threat needs to be addressed by medical or legal means.
@MickN: it’s a fact.
@Connoroconner: The same party also collected one of the killers from prison and threw him a party.
@Tricia G: here’s the thing! It won’t be life will it?.
@Paul O’Sullivan: all the more reason to protect society from them killing someone else. Mental health nonsense is no defense to murdering a Garda on duty.
@Paul O’Sullivan: oh ffs will you stop a guard is dead a life has been taken…. did you say that about the officers who killed George floyd? Did they have mental health issues? Stop using that as a default excuse
@Kieran Shortt: Jesus!! Talk about victim blaming. I can tell you I served in the defence forces for 11 yrs and have spent the past 20 in the guards so I can speak with authority that Gardai receive thorough and excellent training with firearms. This could happen to any person. After all we’re only human. Krav Maga or no. When you’re in the heat of a scuffle anything can go wrong. You’re not trying to hurt someone but restrain them which is much harder
@MickN: It’s not mud, it’s a fact.
@Kieran Shortt: Ridiculous throw away comment, the gardai train their own members in firearms and ‘apparently they weren’t so much interested in how to use them, not that disciplined and didn’t take it seriously’ ????? All armed Gardai are licensed and trained and undergo regular training and yes in a struggle a garda can have his weapon taken , it happens sadly , so stop the sniping and no , no Krav Maga training, you play too many video games.
@Connoroconner: how true ,and how relevant now,but one cant mention the fact Mary Lou welcomed them out at a function,with her bestest smiles and hugs ….nooo not PC to have a complete memory at the min.
@Paul O’Sullivan: to many excuses
@Jennifer Monaghan: in answer to your question, the officer who killed George Floyd in my view is guilty of murder … this is a separate issue and non comparable…
However, i am mainly pointing out, that sometimes Detectives leave their firearm exposed in the eyeline of a person, that could put the lives of the Garda and others at risk. If the firearm was not needed at the incident it should not have been exposed. Detectives wear shoulder holsters that do not have safety mechanisms like an armed police officer in other countries.
People are quick to judge no one knows what exactly happened.
@Paul O’Sullivan: True god knows what really happen,people don’t just shoot Guards,see what happens when full story is out,mental illness is rampant in Ireland most of it goes mistreated!
@Paul O’Sullivan: if I’m not mistaken, no details have been made available as to what happened last night. It doesn’t matter if you’re an ex guard, anti-guard, or otherwise – no one knows, so they should not blame the guards or the guy being held until we know more.
@Paul O’Sullivan:
You seem to be an authority on everything. Get into the real world….. Give us a break from your rants and wisen up.
@Paul O’Sullivan: you no absolutely nothing about what happened, all we know is a person who was out serving his country when the vast majority of people were tucked up in bed is now dead. Like others said you seem to have an opinion on everything on here, why don’t you go and do something productive with your life. Everyone is an expert behind a keyboard
@Kieran Shortt: good man kieran. Sling dirt at the victim with absolutely no knowledge of the events.
@Mick Murphy: well said mick
@Bill Clay:
Good man Bill. You are 100%correct…
@Tricia G: he should never be released. He doesn’t deserve a 2nd chance, the poor garda won’t get a second chance. Rip
@Paul O’Sullivan: are you honestly going to come on here, without anything but the barest facts of the incident, and apportion blame to D/Gda Horkan? What qualifies you to do so? Have you much experience in policing?
@Connoroconner: it us sometimes said that courts are places where justice is dispensed with
R. I. P. sincere condolences to family and friends. Horrific.
The sentence for murdering a garda is 40 years , this was to replace the death penalty but ironically a person serving the 40 years is entitled to remission after 28 years under prison rules and if higher remission for ‘good behaviour’ is taken in to account, a prisoner could actually be released at this point. Condolences to D/Garda Colm Horkan’s family and colleagues, a tragic loss of life, may he rest in peace.
@Honeybee: Was always brought up with thinking that if you murdered a Garda that it was death penalty.. Think it should still be the case. At the time it was very relevant as my Dad was an armed detective and it made us feel better that he had some level of protection.. But it seems these days a Gard’s life.. Or any life, is not as valuable anymore. RIP Garda Colm Horkan.
Saddened to read this. May he rest in peace. Condolences to his family and his work colleagues X
“And maybe remind the few, if ill of us they speak, that we are all that stand between the monsters and the weak”. RIP Garda Horkan
This is tragic, in a time when so many evil people are demonizing police officers, we should remember they are real heroes. Thoughts and Prayers
RIP
My deepest condolences to Garda Horkans family, colleagues and friends.
May he rest in peace and I wish healing to those left behind.
A nations gratitude to Garda Colm Horkan.
Rest in peace Garda Colm
Very sad. Shows yet again how dangerous it is out there for the Gardaí.
So sad R.I.P
My condolences to his family.
Sincere condolences to Garda horkans family and friends RIP
A terrible state of affairs
RIP young man
Very sad day for colleagues,friends and family.
R.I.P
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilís. Hope the killer gets caught and sentenced appropriately.
Condolences and sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues. It’s so sad
R.I.P
Dochreidte . Comhbhrón lena chlann Ar dhéis Dé go raibh a anam dhílis.
It’s surprising that he was on duty alone. I always thought that Garda Patrols always numbered at least two officers. Castlerea would be a fairly dangerous beat anyway. A lot of ex prisoners live in the general area and many of these would be considered dangerous with paramilitary connections.
The tragic history of gardai who lost their lives in the line of duty
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/the-tragic-history-of-gardai-who-lost-their-lives-in-the-line-of-duty-39295762.html
R.I.P.
It is a tragic waste of life. The national shock shows how much the Irish public value their police force. At a time like this it is especially stomach churning to hear McDonald of Sinn Fein decrying the shooting of a Garda a couple of weeks after she claimed in a Sunday Independent interview that the Provo 30 year terror campaign was justified. Was the IRA killing of gardai in that campaign justified?
Omg shocking RIP
The garda had his own firearm taken from him & then shot & murederd with that very gun ?????? How,just how could this happen.omg this is so sad RIP X
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