Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda murder accused's sister planned to have him admitted to hospital on day before shooting
Summary
At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, a murder trial heard evidence concerning Stephen Silver's mental state in the hours before the fatal shooting of Garda Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Silver's sister, Marian Bruen, testified that she recognised her brother was unwell during a telephone call on 16 June 2020 and that the family planned to have him admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Dr Brenda Wright, interim clinical director at the Central Mental Hospital, gave evidence regarding her psychiatric assessment of Silver, who is aged 46 and from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo. The prosecution highlighted apparent inconsistencies in Silver's accounts, including a statement he later acknowledged as untrue when interviewed by consultant psychiatrist Professor Harry Kennedy. Silver has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial, before Ms Justice Tara Burns, centres on Silver's mental capacity at the time of the shooting.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda murder accused's sister planned to have him admitted to hospital on day before shooting. Charges or matters: the capital murder of Garda 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 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 16, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 17, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 2019 Incident
- 2023-03-06 Publication
Why: The accused also told Professor Harry Kennedy that his wife knew not to "rock the boat" because he was "very anti-medication". CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the capital murder of Garda 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 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 Mental Hospital
Topics
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