Courts / Roscommon / Report
Murder accused 'filled with a burning anger' towards gardai, prosecution say
Summary
Stephen Silver, a forty-six-year-old motorbike mechanic from Foxford, County Mayo, stands trial at the Central Criminal Court on a charge of murdering Detective Garda Colm Horkan on 17 June 2020 in Castlerea, County Roscommon. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The prosecution closing speech, delivered by James Dwyer SC, contended that Mr Silver was filled with significant anger towards An Garda Síochána and that the encounter with Garda Horkan provided an opportunity to act on that anger. The prosecution argued that Mr Silver's mental state was not impaired in any significant way and that his behaviour that day was purposeful and deliberate. The defence claims Mr Silver was suffering from bipolar affective disorder which diminished his responsibility. A consultant psychiatrist for the prosecution disputed this assessment. The jury will hear closing submissions from the defence before Mr Justice Paul McDermott provides further direction.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused 'filled with a burning anger' towards gardai, prosecution say. Charges or matters: 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. 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
Accused
Charges: 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 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- then went to Castlerea Garda Station
- Castlerea
Topics
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