Garda Colm Horkan helped to have man accused of his murder admitted to psychiatric unit

Gda Colm Horkan, who was shot dead two years ago, helped to have the man accused of his murder admitted to a psychiatric unit in 2003, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Tom O'Connor, a retired garda sergeant, told prosecution counsel James Dwyer SC that he received a call on October 29 that year relating to an incident at the family home of Stephen Silver in Roscommon, about 12 miles from Castlerea. Mr Silver denies Gda Horkan's murder but has pleaded guilty to his manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.

Mr O'Connor said he attended the scene with a local doctor and two other gardai, one of whom was Gda Horkan. Due to Mr Silver's behaviour, it was deemed appropriate to admit him to the local psychiatric unit, Mr O'Connor said.

Under cross-examination Mr O'Connor told defence counsel Gerardine Small SC that later that day he spoke to Gda Horkan, who told him they had taken Mr Silver to the psychiatric unit and there had been "no hassle". Mr Silver was asked about that incident when being interviewed by gardai following the shooting of Gda Horkan. He said he did not remember it.

Detective Inspector Sean Costelloe told Ms Small that Mr Silver has just one previous conviction from 2000 for driving without insurance or tax.

Mr Silver (46), a motorbike mechanic from Aughavard, Foxford, Co Mayo has pleaded not  guilty to the murder of Det Garda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, at Castlerea, Co. Roscommon on 17 June 2020.

The jury also watched video footage today (Tuesday, October 25) of Mr Silver’s fifth and final interview at Castlerea Garda Station, one day after the shooting.

In the interview Inspector Brian Hanley asked Mr Silver if he was angry with gardai because of a garda raid on the home of a friend of the accused some weeks earlier. “Is that why you shot Colm Horkan?”, he asked.

Inspector Hanley added that in Mr Silver’s own account, the only act of aggression by Gda Horkan was putting his hand on Mr Silver’s hand. The inspector added: “All other acts of aggression in that struggle were from you. You said you punched him with your fists, that you hit him with the butt of the gun.” Mr Silver also told gardai that when he had taken Gda Horkan’s gun during the struggle he moved about one metre or more away from the detective.

Insp Hanley asked: “You could have walked away then Stephen but you didn’t, why? Do you want to answer that? Why is it, why are we having a State funeral for Colm Horkan when he should be at home with his family, and you should be home with your family, but you’re not, you’re here as a result of your actions and Colm Horkan is dead because of your actions, not his actions.” Mr Silver did not respond.

Insp Hanley said Gda Horkan had identified himself as a garda three times and told Mr Silver he was going to arrest him. The inspector added: “You saw his firearm. Who else has a firearm in a holster on their hip? Guards. You knew he was a guard.”

Mr Silver again did not answer. He also refused to sign the memo of the interview and did not respond when asked if the memo was accurate.

The trial continues tomorrow in front of Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and five women.