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Garreth MacNamee/TheJoural.ie

'Their loss is colossal': Locals describe 'absolute gentleman' detective who was shot and killed overnight in Roscommon

Detective Garda Colm Horkan died after he was shot on duty in Castlerea.

LOCALS IN CASTLEREA have spoken of their shock after a detective garda was shot and killed in the Roscommon town overnight. 

Detective Garda Colm Horkan died after he was shot on duty. It is believed that his official firearm was taken from him during the incident and he was shot with it. 

Locals have been telling of their deep shock when they woke to the news that the popular and well-known garda had died in such a violent manner. 

Patrick Gillooly told TheJournal.ie that he was in the town when the incident occurred and heard the commotion.

“I was down at the Pass machine [ATM] when it happened. I heard the five shots but didn’t realise anyone had been shot. I thought it was fireworks. 

“I seen two people fighting, then someone shouted “what are you at” then five shots went off. I thought fireworks were going off. Then I heard someone is after being shot. I could see nothing. I didn’t realise there was a guard involved at all. I am shocked, really shocked this morning when I turned on the radio to hear it was a detective.”

Liam Scahill is also from Castlerea and knew the detective well. He described being sick to his stomach when he heard the news.

He said: “We are just horrified, there is a hole in our stomachs since we’ve heard it. It’s 40 years since the last time this happened. It’s horrific, there are no words to describe it. It shouldn’t happen here. 

“I just heard this morning and you have to pinch yourself to see if this is true. It’s not a violent town. This doesn’t happen in Castlerea.”

Image from iOS (1) Liam Scahill

Everyone knew him. He was a very approachable member around town and an absolute gentleman. He did it a good job and knew all the locals and was well up for the banter between Mayo and Roscommon. He was originally a Mayo man from Charlestown. It’s horrific. When you know the people involved, it’s horrific. There are no words to describe their loss. 

“Our thoughts go to the family and gardaí- their loss is colossal.”

Local Castlerea publican Ollie Hester said he and others in the town are in a “deep state of shock and sadness”.

“He was such a lovely man and so well respected in the community here. He was an absolute gentleman. No one in the town can get over what has happened to him.”

“He was stationed in Castlerea and was only made a detective recently so he had the world at his feet.”

“Just a few weeks ago, he had gone to help my elderly mother and he called up to her house because she was having trouble with her house alarm.

“I told her the news this morning and she was absolutely heartbroken and devastated. She is just distraught as we were only speaking about how nice he was the other day.”

Detective Garda Horkan was a member of the local Charlestown GAA club and was described as being “a hugely popular figure among colleagues and in GAA circles”. 

“He was always regarded as a go-to man in Charlestown GAA,” said Garda Representive Association president Jim Mulligan. “Nothing was too big or too small a request for him”. 

“Colm was a gentleman known for his kindness and commitment to helping other people. He died protecting his community and serving his country.”

One man has been arrested in connection with the investigation and is currently being detained in Castlerea Garda Station. 

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22 Comments
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    Mute Emer Caffrey
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    Jun 18th 2020, 12:50 PM

    Absolutely senseless crime, a wonderful man gone for no reason, tragic RIP

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    Mute Canyon
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    Jun 18th 2020, 4:17 PM

    @Emer Caffrey: Gemma O Doherty tweeted about it….she is some piece of work…

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    Mute Chrissy Beanz
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:17 PM

    I would just like to say; Last night, when YOU were sleeping soundly in your bed in our sanctuary which is the well-policed Republic of Ireland, Colm Horkan gave his life for YOU. In honor of that sacrifice and to acknowledge the mettle and gallantry of all our Gardai, it is time for YOU to KNEEL and PRAY.
    Chris Buchan

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    Mute Negan
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:23 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: not a time to be forcing your religious values on others Chris.

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    Mute Ed Kelly
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:29 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: we can pay our respects without kneeling and praying but each to their own I guess.

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    Mute Daniel Andrews
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:01 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: what will praying do?

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    Mute Martello Mulligan
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:52 PM

    To the nit-picking simpletons: you should acknowledge the man’s sacrifice before you throw up your precious little quibbles.

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    Mute Arch Angel
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    Jun 18th 2020, 3:43 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: My deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues at this time. What a self serving thing to say, to use this poor man’s death to further your religious agenda. You ought to be ashamed.

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    Mute Brynþór Patrekursson
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    Jun 18th 2020, 4:35 PM

    @Martello Mulligan: I’m sure guards don’t sign up to sacrifice anything for anyone. We have a relatively peaceful country, and no one should be expected to be killed. The nonsense being put out there is as if we’re living in constant fear or a way zone. Until we know better, this was an accident, and we need to stop the calls for capital punishment until the facts emerge.

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    Mute Martello Mulligan
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    Jun 18th 2020, 5:26 PM

    @Brynþór Patrekursson: an accident??? Who said guards sign up for sacrifice??? Focus, my friend.

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    Mute Seomra Ban
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    Jun 18th 2020, 6:05 PM

    @Brynþór Patrekursson: a 5 shot accident?

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    Mute Stephen Kearon
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:25 PM

    Absolutely horrific crime, there should be only one sentence for capital murder, and its not the one that wastes tax payers money year after year

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    Mute Nolan Spare
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:10 PM

    @Stephen Kearon: Probably will only be charged with manslaughter.

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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Jun 18th 2020, 12:53 PM

    Shocking alright…..some lunatics out there

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    Mute Patricia O'Reilly
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:10 PM

    Omg how awful, his poor family. God love him. Rip.

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    Mute Robbie Graham
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:03 PM

    Incredibly sad and scarcely believable. Condolences to his family, friends and community. RIP Garda Horkan.

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    Mute Nioe
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:35 PM

    Terrible news. Hopefully his needless loss will be a turning point when the justice system starts to stand up against crime and protect our citizens.

    The law has for too long protected the criminals and this coin has gone lawless.

    Guaranteed whoever committed this crime has a massive criminal record and would not be on the streets if there was a functional justice system with proper sentencing….

    RIP

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    Mute Jane Alford
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:35 PM

    It’s beyond time where firearms are designed to only able to be fired by the individual the gun is signed out to. The grips need to be digitized. The technology is available, about time it is used.

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    Mute John J. Smith
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:48 PM

    @Jane Alford: The Gardai have always been under resourced and even some stations haven’t even a computer or wiFi. It would be unlikely that money would be allocated for your excellent idea.

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    Mute Brynþór Patrekursson
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    Jun 18th 2020, 4:37 PM

    @John J. Smith: detective Horkan was last year supporting calls for increased spend on tazers and vests. Ironically, it would have saved his life.

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    Mute Seán Maguire
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:32 PM

    Terrible tragedy condolences to his family, colleagues and community.

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    Mute Liam McGrath
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    Jun 19th 2020, 2:34 AM

    Patrick heard 5 shots, not a very credible witness, because it was later reported that there was 15 shots fired. I think he’s telling porkies.

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