Family of murdered Garda Horkan call for public inquiry
Detective Garda Colm Horkan, a man, was shot dead in Castlerea, Co Roscommon on 17 June 2020 when Stephen Silver, also a man, took his official firearm from its holster and fired it. The Horkan family has called for an independent public inquiry following revelations in a recent RTÉ Investigates programme that protected disclosers had stated the holster was faulty and not fit for purpose. Labour TD Alan Kelly welcomed the family's statement and said the Minister for Justice has questions to answer.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDetective Garda Colm Horkan was shot dead in June 2020. (rte.ie)
- whatStephen Silver murdered Detective Horkan. (rte.ie)
- whatStephen Silver took the garda's gun from its holster before shooting him. (rte.ie)
- whatThe Horkan family called for a public inquiry. (rte.ie)
- whatProtected disclosers stated the holster was faulty and not fit for purpose. (rte.ie)
- whatThe family said revelations in a recent RTÉ Investigates programme heightened their concerns. (rte.ie)
- whereHe was shot dead in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. (rte.ie)
- whenThe murder took place on 17 June 2020. (rte.ie)
- weaponStephen Silver used the detective's official firearm. (rte.ie)
- otherLabour's Alan Kelly welcomed the family's statement. (rte.ie)
- otherThe current Minister for Justice is Jim O'Callaghan. (rte.ie)
- otherHelen McEntee was the predecessor Minister for Justice. (rte.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Oct2026Family of murdered Garda Horkan call for public inquiry
Family calls for independent public inquiry following RTÉ Investigates revelations about a faulty holster and the treatment of protected disclosers; Labour TD Alan Kelly welcomes the statement and says the Minister for Justice has questions to answer.
victim, Colm Horkan, male, irish (judged from name)Colm Horkanconvicted, Stephen Silver, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Silver