Courts / Mayo / Report

Garda tells murder trial of performing CPR on colleague shot with own gun

Date
2023-02-07

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Foxford

County
Mayo

Summary

At the Central Criminal Court, a garda recounted attending to her colleague Garda Colm Horkan after he was fatally shot at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Garda Helen Gillen described witnessing two men grappling before one was shot multiple times with his own firearm. She performed CPR on Garda Horkan after realising he was the victim. Stephen Silver, aged 46, a motorbike mechanic from Foxford, Co Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial heard evidence from eyewitness James Coyne, who was with Silver that evening, describing how an interaction with Garda Horkan escalated into violence. Another witness, Paul McGarry, a local resident, testified to hearing gunshots and disturbances in the area. The defence has indicated that Silver's state of mind at the time remains the central issue, with responsibility for the shooting accepted. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda tells murder trial of performing CPR on colleague shot with own gun. Charges or matters: the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan (49) knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17, 2020; manslaughter. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 17, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-02-07 Publication

Why: "I don't know how many times he shot but I realised he couldn't shoot anymore because there wasn't anything left in the gun," she said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Stephen Silver

Defendant

Charges: the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan (49) knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17, 2020; manslaughter (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty