Garda killed in shooting tragedy named as Detective Colm Horkan
THE garda detective who died in a shooting incident in Castlerea last night has been named as Colm Horkan.
The Charlestown native was a member of the force for 24 years.
An investigation into his death, after he was shot outside Castlerea Garda Station, is ongoing this morning.
In a statement, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said he was deeply saddened by the death of his colleague Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
He said: “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 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.”
The commissioner thanked 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.
He added: “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.”
DEEPLY SHOCKED
Mayo TD Dara Calleary said he was deeply shocked to learn of the death of Det. Garda Colm Horkan following a shooting incident in Castlerea overnight.
“My thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues and the wider Garda family. Our gardaí walk with us on our darkest days - we walk with them today.”
In a tribute Deputy Alan Dillon stated: "I am deeply shocked and upset to hear of the death of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who died in the line of duty last night in Castlerea.
"I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Detective Horkan’s family, friends and work colleagues.
"It is an unfortunate reminder of the danger that gardaí face on a daily basis. We offer our support to all members of An Garda Síochána at this time.
"Throughout this pandemic, the crucial role of frontline worker’s across the country has been exemplary.
"The role played by An Garda Síochána has helped this country come through COVID-19 to date, but last night’s events in the most callous fashion relays the harsh reality of what the gardaí face on a daily basis.
"I knew Detective Garda Horkan on a personal level, he was a huge supporter of Mayo GAA and I spent some time in his company last May in New York.
"Colm was a pleasure to be around, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
"I have contacted Commissioner Harris this morning to offer my condolences to the entire force at this tragic time.
"The loss in An Garda Síochána is immeasurable today.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
TD for Roscommon Galway Denis Naughten, said Det. Garda Horkan’s death was “absolutely devastating."
Deputy Naughten said the reaction to the shooting locally is “one of huge shock."
“The community in Castlerea would work very closely on an ongoing basis with gardaí and particularly over the last number of weeks due to Covid-19," he said.
“This is a huge shock to the community as a whole, to the garda force throughout the Roscommon-Longford Garda division which would be a close-knit Garda force here. Everyone knows everyone, it is a rural division.
“It is a huge blow to the force, to the community and, of course, particularly to the Garda’s family,” he added.
In 1980, two members of An Garda Siochána were shot dead near Castlerea in the village of Loughglynn.
Detective Garda John Morley and Garda Henry Byrne were killed by armed bank robbers.