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'If I hadn't killed him, he would've killed me,' garda murder accused said to have told officers
Summary
Stephen Silver, aged 46, of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan. The trial heard that Garda Horkan was shot eleven times with his own firearm at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. Civilian witnesses gave evidence that after the shooting, Mr Silver repeatedly told gardaí: "If I hadn't killed him, he would have killed me." Garda witnesses testified that Mr Silver was agitated and aggressive in custody, and that he later spat at officers and urinated on the floor of his cell. During cross-examination, the defence counsel indicated that Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the incident remains the central issue in dispute. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'If I hadn't killed him, he would've killed me,' garda murder accused said to have told officers. Charges or matters: the capital murder of Gda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty; manslaughter. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 17, 2020 Other
- June 17 Other
- June 19 Other
- 2023-02-09 Publication
Why: " "He was angry because he thought he had done nothing wrong," said Mr Silveira. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the capital murder of Gda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty; manslaughter (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- his cell at the garda station
- Mr Silver to the garda station
- and aggressive at the garda station
- being brought to the garda station
Topics
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