President leads tributes to Detective Garda killed in Roscommon
President Michael D Higgins has led the tributes to Detective Garda Colm Horkan who was the victim of a fatal shooting in Roscommon last night.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with any information following the shooting in Castlerea.
The body has been removed from the scene to Castlebar General Hospital where a post mortem is due to take place later today by the State Pathologist. The scene at the junction of Patrick Street and Main Street Castlerea remains sealed off pending a forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.
A man, aged in his 40s, was arrested at the scene and remains detained at Castlerea Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.
In a statement, Michael D Higgins said: "News of the tragic death of a Garda detective on duty in Castlerea has come as a shock to us all.
An Garda Síochána play a crucial role in our communities and this loss of life damages our society as a whole.
May I offer my deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of the Garda, and to all those who have been affected by this tragedy.
I have contacted the Garda Commissioner to express my deepest sympathies on this terrible loss of a member of the force.”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: "I am deeply saddened by the death of my colleague Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
"My thoughts, and the thoughts of all personnel in An Garda Síochána, are with the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea Garda station and the Detective Unit he served in.
"Colm served the communities he worked in with distinction and pride during his 24 years as a member of An Garda Síochána.
"Detective Garda Colm Horkan is the 89th member of An Garda Síochána killed in the line of duty. Today is a terrible reminder of the significant sacrifices, including the ultimate sacrifice, that Gardaí make to keep people save.
"I want to thank the local community in Castlerea and the country as a whole for the support they have shown to An Garda Síochána and individual Gardaí even in the short time since the incident.
"The fatal shooting of Detective Garda Colm Horkan remains under investigation. I want to appeal to anyone with information on this incident or witnessed this incident to contact Castlerea Garda Station at 094 962 1635.”
Tributes to the late Detective Garda were also paid at today's sitting of Trim District Court.
Judge Cormac Dunne said that he wanted to refer to the very tragic shooting of Garda Horkan at Castlerea.
He said that Garda Horkan, who had 24 years service in An Garda Siochana had lost his life serving the community. He said he wanted to extend his sympathy to the Garda's family, his neighbours and friends, and to the Garda force.
Solicitor Miriam Regan on behalf of the legal profession and Court Manager Deirdre Guildea on behalf of the Courts Service also extended their sympathy to the Garda's family and An Garda Siochana.
Sergeant Tom Mahon thanked the judge, Ms Regan and Ms Guildea for their remarks.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the Castlerea Town Centre area between 11pm on 17/06/2020 and 12:30am on 18/06/2020, particularly any road users who may have dash cam footage.