Courts / Roscommon / Report
Garda Colm Horkan murder trial jury given majority verdict
Summary
The jury in the trial of Stephen Silver, a motorbike mechanic from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has been instructed that majority verdicts are now permissible at the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Paul McDermott informed the twelve-person jury, entering their third day of deliberations, that they may return a verdict supported by at least ten jurors rather than requiring unanimity. Silver is charged with the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The jury must determine between verdicts of capital murder, murder, manslaughter, or manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Defence evidence suggested Silver suffered bipolar affective disorder at the time, whilst prosecution psychiatric evidence contradicted this assessment of his mental capacity. Detective Garda Horkan sustained eleven gunshot wounds. Deliberations are continuing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda Colm Horkan murder trial jury given majority verdict. 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. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 17 June 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-11-17 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 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Money launderer placed in custody despite mattresses on prison floor
- Judge asks for information on allegation that garda photographed whistleblower in court
- Murder accused told doctors that release of abuser Michael Ferry caused him to 'spiral'
- Drug dealer gets suspended sentence after judge notes '61 people on mattresses in prison'
- Garda murderer claims psychiatric evidence contradicted legal test for insanity
- Judge emphasises importance of media following press exclusion from Garda whistleblower case
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request