Courts / Roscommon / Report

Garda murder accused gave 'shifting accounts' of shooting, prosecution tell jury

Summary

A man accused of murdering Detective Garda Colm Horkan gave inconsistent accounts of the shooting in the immediate aftermath and during garda interviews, a prosecution barrister told the Central Criminal Court on the twenty-first day of trial. James Dwyer SC said the accused's statements at the scene contrasted sharply with evidence he later presented in court, suggesting his account may have been constructed to support his defence rather than reflect accurate recollection. The prosecutor outlined how the accused initially denied the victim was a garda, subsequently claimed the victim identified himself but wore civilian clothing, and later suggested the victim may have been a drug dealer. The accused also provided varying explanations for how the victim sustained injuries. Stephen Silver, aged 46, a motorbike mechanic from Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, denies murdering Detective Garda Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Expert psychiatric evidence differed on whether the accused's mental capacity was diminished at the time. Stephen Silver pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda murder accused gave 'shifting accounts' of shooting, prosecution tell jury. 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. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 17 June 2020 Other
• 2022-11-08 Publication

Why: He later told gardai that Gda Horkan had said he was a garda but Mr Silver did not believe him because he was not in uniform and was wearing a Tommy Hilfiger jacket. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report