Courts / Roscommon / Report
Garda murder accused was not psychotic at time of shooting, psychiatrist tells trial
Summary
The Central Criminal Court trial of Stephen Silver, who denies murdering Detective Garda Colm Horkan, heard closing arguments are immencing. A prosecution psychiatrist told the jury that Mr Silver, aged 46, a motorbike mechanic from Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, was not psychotic and not suffering from delusions when he shot and killed the detective at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Professor Harry Kennedy said Mr Silver's execution of a complex sequence of actions, including gaining control of the weapon, firing multiple times, and aiming deliberately at the victim's trunk, demonstrated his capacity to form intent. Mr Silver accepts killing Garda Horkan but has pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The defence called a psychiatrist who argued Mr Silver suffered from a mental disorder affecting his responsibility. Mr Justice Paul McDermott advised the jury that closing submissions and his legal charge would follow over several days.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda murder accused was not psychotic at time of shooting, psychiatrist tells trial. Charges or matters: 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:
- 17 June 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-11-07 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: 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
Places mentioned
Topics
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