Family of murdered Garda Colm Horkan call for public inquiry into his death
The late Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
The family of murdered Detective Garda Colm Horkan has called for a public inquiry into events surrounding his death after a series of reports that a faulty gun holster may have contributed to his death.
The Horkan family issued a statement this evening pointing out that there have been numerous reports that Detective Garda Horkan had been issued with a faulty holster on the night he was attacked.
The Garda was shot 11 times on June 17th, 2020, while on duty in Castlerea after his assailant got possession of his gun.
Stephen Silver was subsequently convicted of the murder and is serving a life sentence.
The Horkan family pointed out that for years they have been hearing that there were issues around the holster Colm was using.
“Several people, 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," the statement said.
According to the Horkan family statement, he “suffered life-changing injuries by reason of this faulty holster. It was made of pliable leather. It did not have the necessary stability to prevent movement and removal of the gun from the holster.”
The family pointed out they met former commissioner Drew Harris.
“We have continuously sought answers from the Commissioner but also from former Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD and Mr Jim O'Callaghan TD Minister for Justice,” the statement reads.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner tonight, Thursday, Garda Horkan’s brother Dermot said the family now believe a public inquiry is the only way at finding out the truth as to what may have contributed to Colm’s murder.
“That’s the only avenue we have left to explore,” Dermot Horkan told the Irish Examiner. “We haven’t really had any interaction with An Garda Síochána about it, we’ve never been told anything. The whistleblowers who have been in the media all seem to have information that the holster wasn’t fit for purpose.
“Colm is a tremendous loss to us,” he said.
“Guards should be able to go to work with proper equipment and should be able to go home at the end of their shift. Procedures and polices are supposed to be in place for all that.
"Every day is a heartbreak day we have to endure since Colm was taken from us. We just want to know the truth.”
