Courts / Roscommon / Report

Slain garda helped admit man accused of his murder to psych unit, trial hears

Date
2022-10-25

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Roscommon

Summary

Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who was fatally shot two years prior, had assisted in admitting the man accused of his murder to a psychiatric unit in 2003, the Central Criminal Court heard on 25 October 2022. A retired garda sergeant gave evidence that he attended the family home of Stephen Silver near Castlerea, County Roscommon, following an incident that year, alongside Garda Horkan and others. Mr Silver was subsequently admitted to the local psychiatric unit due to his behaviour at that time. The accused, aged 46 and from Foxford, County Mayo, denies murdering Garda Horkan but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility. During interview footage viewed by the jury, a garda inspector questioned Mr Silver about the circumstances of the shooting at Castlerea Garda Station. The trial, before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, continues before the Central Criminal Court. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Slain garda helped admit man accused of his murder to psych unit, trial hears. Charges or matters: his manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility; 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; manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Procedural stage: trial

When:

October 29 Incident
17 June 2020 Other
2022-10-25 Publication

Why: 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. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Accused

Charges: his manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility; 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; manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on 17 June 2020 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty