Courts / Mayo / Report
Garda murder accused tells trial of mental health episodes, including thinking he was Jesus
Summary
Stephen Silver (46), from Aughavard in Foxford, County Mayo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with the murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. During evidence, Mr Silver described experiencing mental health episodes since age nineteen, including believing himself to be "the second coming of Jesus" and experiencing paranoid delusions. He told the court he has been hospitalised between sixteen and seventeen times and has schizoaffective disorder. On the day of the incident, Mr Silver said he was at a hotel where he became suspicious of companions and believed English builders present were members of the SAS. He stated he checked underneath his van for explosives due to paranoia and fear. The defence argues Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting is the central issue in the case. The trial before Ms Justice Burns continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda murder accused tells trial of mental health episodes, including thinking he was Jesus. Charges or matters: the 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 at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17, 2020; manslaughter and the jury have been told the main issue in the trial is Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 17, 2020 Incident
- September 2001 Other
- 2023-02-22 Publication
Why: I checked underneath my van because I thought there might be explosives underneath it. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the 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 at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17, 2020; manslaughter and the jury have been told the main issue in the trial is Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Roscommon
- Roscommon Hospital
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
Related court reports
- Judge asks for information on allegation that garda photographed whistleblower in court
- Garda murderer claims psychiatric evidence contradicted legal test for insanity
- Judge emphasises importance of media following press exclusion from Garda whistleblower case
- Senior garda challenges media exclusion following disclosures regarding 'unsafe' gun holsters
- Mayo man jailed over dog attack that left woman with life changing injuries
- 'Savage' burglars who targeted and brutally beat pensioner to death in own home get combined 43 years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request