Family of murdered garda Colm Horkan call for public inquiry
The family of murdered Detective Garda Colm Horkan is demanding an independent public inquiry into his 2020 death. They allege that a faulty holster, which had been the subject of prior complaints, contributed to the officer's murder.
Why it matters
The case raises significant questions about police equipment safety and government accountability regarding whistleblower disclosures in Ireland.
THE FAMILY OF Detective Garda Colm Horkan have called for a public inquiry into his death.
Detective Horkan was shot dead in Castlerea in County Roscommon in June 2020 by Stephen Silver, who took Garda Horkan’s gun from his holster. Silver was later convicted of capital murder and sentenced to a minimum 40 years in prison.
A garda whistleblower, Detective Superintendent Brian O’Reilly, alleged on an RTÉ Investigates programme last month that the holster was defective and a contributory factor in his murder.
In a statement issued this evening, the Horkan family say they are now seeking a public inquiry.
They say, “several persons, including protected disclosers, have stated repeatedly that it was known that this holster was faulty, that it was not fit for purpose, had been made by a saddlery and that complaints and disclosures had been made concerning the holster.”
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