Support for public inquiry into Mayo garda detective's murder escalates

Tánaiste Simon Harris has stated there needs to be further engagement with the family of the late Detective Garda Colm Horkan, Charlestown, over controversial circumstances surrounding his murder on June 17, 2020.

The family has issued a statement expressing their lack of faith in an investigation being conducted by Fiosrú, the office of the police ombudsman, into the suitability of the gun holster that he was wearing at the time of his murder.

They stated issues regarding the holster were known to the office as far back as 2019 and ‘they have done nothing’ in respect of concerns raised about the safety of garda firearm holsters through protected disclosures, training personnel and internal reports before the fatal shooting of Colm Horkan.

The family added that they feel 'extremely let down' by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan.

Now Deputy Harris has admitted the government needs to find a mechanism in terms of getting the answers the Horkan family is seeking.

"The Minister for Justice has said very clearly that he retains an open mind on a public inquiry. I reiterate that view."

"We need further engagement with the family and to work out how best to put a mechanism in place to address their sincerely held concerns about the brutal murder and loss of their loved one."

Detective Garda Horkan was shot and killed by Stephen Silver in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, on June 17, 2020. He was disarmed by Silver and shot 11 times.

Deputy Harris stated: "The family has clearly given its view and the government needs to reflect further on that and engage further.

"It is about trying to establish the information and answers the family want about the loss of their son and brother. That is the way in which government should and will engage on this matter and there will be further engagement with the family."

The Fine Gael leader further elaborated: "The individual responsible for the murder of Detective Garda Horkan has been tried and convicted by a jury in a public hearing before the Central Criminal Court. There has been an appeal of that conviction. There is a reserve judgment from the Court of Appeal and we should not attempt to cut across that process.

"The Minister for Justice met the Horkan family on October 29 last to listen to their concerns. The minister made the decision to request Fiosrú to conduct an investigation into matters concerning the safety and suitability of the holster used by Colm at the time of the incident at which he was murdered.

"My understanding is that Fiosrú has agreed to conduct an independent investigation of these matters. It is also hoped that the criminal proceedings will conclude shortly and, thereafter, there will be a coroner's inquest to be held in public."

Labour Party TD Alan Kelly said it was not good enough that the Minister for Justice met the family on October 29 and then said that he was referring the matter to Fiosrú without them knowing and telling them it was happening.

"They were never going to cooperate with this. They feel let down.

"I hope what the Tánaiste is saying is going to be reflected in the coming weeks with a change whereby this family will be engaged with because they need to be met, perhaps by the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach, and that there will be a form of inquiry or process found to absolutely meet their needs and questions," he said.