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GARDA COMMISSIONER DREW Harris has condemned the shooting of Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
The garda died while on duty following an incident in Castlerea which happened shortly before midnight. It is believed that his official firearm was taken from him during the incident and he was shot with it.
Speaking to reporters in Castlerea, Harris said: “Ultimately we have lost for no good purpose here today a really beloved member of this community.
“A garda doing their duty and doing what and people in the community would ask from him in terms of preventing crime and making sure people are safe.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, and Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins have led tributes to Detective Garda Horkan.
Harris said Gardai are appealing for anyone with information about the incident, and for CCTV footage of the scene.
“We understand an image was shared on social media so we are appealing for that as it could be very useful and important to us in this investigation.”
Harris described Detective Garda Horkan’s death in Castlerea as “a dreadful loss”.
Asked why the incident happened, he said: “The facts as we know them at this time are that this was in effect a conversation between Detective Garda Horkan and a member of the public.
“There was then an altercation during which the service pistol Garda Horkan was carrying was then used against him and he was shot and fatally wounded.”
“He received very prompt medical attention but to no avail. He died from his injuries.”
Harris said it is difficult say whether Detective Garda Horkan knew the person alleged to have shot him.
“Detective Horkan would have spent so much time here and he knew so many people. It would be hard to say who he did not know in the town and the surrounding area.”
Harris said Detective Garda Horkan’s colleagues and the wider Garda community are “extremely saddened and shocked” by his killing.
“We have rallied around as an organisation, there has been a huge level of community support and also organisational support. That is evident in the number of personnel who have turned up here today to help with the investigation.”
“It is poignant and tragic that we have had the death of a serving detective garda who was on duty and doing his duties to keep people safe in this local area.”
Mr Harris said it is a “tragic coincidence” that two gardai had also been killed in the line of duty in the same area 40 years ago.
Harris also described Detective Garda Horkan’s death as “an attack upon society”.
“I can certainly say at this moment in time that there is no chance at all of a bigger picture in terms of organised crime or a subversive. What we have here is a random act and a violent act which has led to the death of Detective Garda Horkan.”
“It is tragic and it is an attack upon us all. Policing is an extension of good citizenship and we should acknowledge that this demeans and belittles us all. It grieves us all as a society that this has happened. It is not how we view ourselves and it is not how we wish to be seen. You are correct to say it is an attack upon society,” Harris said.
He said he hopes to meet Detective Garda Horkan’s family in person this afternoon.
“Obviously I want to convey my own sense of deep sadness to them. We will all be there for them in the days, weeks and months ahead to support them with the terrible burden that they have to bare.”
Gardaí are investigating the fatal shooting, and are appealing for those with information, or who witnessed this incident, to contact Castlerea Garda Station at 094 962 1635.
With reporting from Gráinne Ní Aodha
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RIP Colm.
Read on the independent that there is a video of this altercation going round on social media. Hope to god it doesn’t show this poor man getting shot. Some sick creatures sharing stuff like this for attention and likes. RIP.
@Olivia Smith: Just part of the norm now people are quick to get the phone out and take pics/vids rather than help the person.
Seen it myself a good few times.
@Olivia Smith: Think you’re one of those creatures of which you speak.
@Dave Byrne: I know and it’s socking. I hope I don’t come across it on social media. Hopefully it can be stopped before it spreads too far.
@Billy McNamara: What are you shiteing on about? Iv never videoed any person been attacked nor would I. I can’t remember the amount of times I reported that boy in cork who filmed the other boy being attacked on Twitter.
@Billy McNamara: Bloody ‘ell Bill, Where’d that come outta
@Billy McNamara: Bloody ‘ell Bill, where’d that come outta. Dear oh dear
@Dave Byrne: those times you’ve seen it you hopped in between the bad guy with the gun and the detective and then chastised the gawkers with the phones. Fair play
@PJ McGonagle: He crawled out of the hole he resides in. Poor little creature.
@David Geraghty: people might not have intervened, but they didn’t need to record it then whatsapp it to their mates.
@David Geraghty: On the two occasions I was treating the patient.
Have any details come out about this? Any possible motives? Usually when a servant of the State is murdered a certain group are involved. I don’t recall an officer ever being killed by a random thug.
@Sylvia O’Regan: The last Guard to be killed was shot in a domestic. What’s your point?
@Newnob: I suppose the point is that it is people that sell drugs and laundered diesel, rob banks and steal ATMs all the while considering themselves Irish freedom fighters that are usually responsible for Garda deaths
@Newnob: bit more to the killers background than a domestic
@Newnob: she doesn’t have one. She never does.
@Newnob: Garda Tony Golden wasn’t killed in a “domestic”. He was murdered by a violent dissident Republican who was well known to the Garda Síochána and the PSNI. The heroic Garda in question was accompanying the wife of this Republican to her home to retrieve some belongings as she feared for her like as her husband was a vicious wife beating thug. Garda Golden left a wife and three young children. He was only 36.
May Garda Horkan rest in peace and may his wife and family find solace in his heroism and the love and support they will receive over the coming days and weeks.
Perhaps Joirnam should switch off comments and allow both families some peace.
R.I.P COLM HORKAN , Condolences to his family, colleagues and friends
Gemma O Donertys tweet is disgusting….what an absolute c+&*
@Canyon: Don’t give her coverage. Very few people know about her antics on Barrow St. last summer.
Shocking act. Agree with Commissioner. This results from the northern troubles creating a platform for criminality as this. It doesn’t just switch off.
There been bad blood between guards and locals people in Mayo after the Corrib peaceful protests. Hope it’s not linked.
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