Gardaí have named their colleague, shot dead in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon last night.
Detective Garda Colm Horkan died following gunshot wounds during an incident last night.
Detective Garda Colm Horkan RIP Pic: Garda Press Office
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said 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.”
Det. Garda Horkan served the communities with distinction and pride during his 24 years as a member of An Garda Síochána.
AGSI President Antoinette Cunningham said “He went to work to protect and serve and in the line of duty has lost his life.”
President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have led tributes following the devastating incident in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, in which a detective garda was shot dead.
A Mayo native, the Detective Garda was on patrol in Castlerea when he engaged with someone. The garda was on his own and called for assistance. He lost control of his official garda firearm and the man got hold of the firearm and shot the Detective Garda a number of times.
The garda died following gunshot wounds.
The incident happened before midnight last night. One man, aged in his 40’s has been arrested and is being detained at Castlerea garda station.
President Michael D Higgins has said he was devastated to hear the news this morning and the news has come as a shock to us all and has expressed his sympathies the family and friends of the garda. He said: “An Garda Síochána play a crucial role in our communities and this loss of life is traumatic for our society as a whole.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said: “Every day our gardaí put themselves on the frontline of crime prevention, on behalf of all of us. This requires regular acts of bravery and courage. Sometimes the outcome is tragic and a garda makes the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duties. “Our thoughts today are with all those grieving as a result of this tragic incident.”
This is the 89th member of An Garda Síochána to have died in the line of duty since the force was established.
Garda colleagues from Roscommon and the country are left devastated while they comfort each other across the organisation.
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said “I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to the parents and family of the brave garda who died doing his duty serving his community and to the wider family of An Garda Síochána who will be heartbroken.”
Minister Flanagan said “Our gardaí work to keep Ireland safe at all times and this is a very difficult day for all of them and their families.”
The AGSI and GRA have also paid tribute to their colleague.
General Secretaty of the Association of GAarda Sergeants and Inspectors, Antionette Cunningham said “the incident has sent shockwaves right throughout the firce with a deep sense of grief and loss felt. I would like to expend the condolences of our 2300 members to the family and colleagues this morning.”
Ms Cuningham said: “He went to work to protect and serve and in the line of duty has lost his life.”
Locals in Castelrea have also expressed their shock and sadness at the news.
On behalf of Emergency Times, we extend our sympathies and condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the Garda Detective this morning.
‘Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam”
