Man to serve life imprisonment for capital murder of Mayo garda

A MAN who was found guilty last month of the capital murder of a detective garda in Castlerea three years ago has been sentenced to life in prison, RTÉ News is reporting.

Stephen Silver, 46, from Foxford, denied murdering Detective Garda Colm Horkan in June 2020 but admitted manslaughter.

The jury heard Silver had a long history of mental illness and the main issue for them to decide on was his state of mind at the time of the killing.

The jury had a number of possible verdicts open to them including capital murder, murder or manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility or self-defence.

They unanimously found him guilty of murdering a garda in the course of his duty, a charge which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years in prison.

It is expected he will appeal his conviction in this case, the RTÉ report stated.

Ms. Justice Tara Burns said the case shows the importance for people with mental health difficulties to maintain their treatment regime.

She described Detective Garda Horkan's murder as shocking and tragic.