Courts / Mayo / Report

Garda murder accused 'an unreliable historian' of his mental health, psychiatrist tells trial

Date
2023-03-08

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Foxford

County
Mayo

Summary

A consultant psychiatrist has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of Stephen Silver, who is charged with murdering Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on June 17, 2020. Professor Harry Kennedy told the jury that Mr Silver, aged 46, of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, was "an unreliable historian" regarding his mental health. The professor said he found no positive evidence that Mr Silver had suffered a relapse of bipolar affective disorder at the time of the shooting. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The court heard the main issue centres on his state of mind at the time. Cross-examination by defence counsel focused on evidence of abnormal beliefs and behaviour, including Mr Silver's admission to the Central Mental Hospital where he was placed in seclusion. Defence testimony from another psychiatrist suggested Mr Silver's illness had impaired his thinking and judgement. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda murder accused 'an unreliable historian' of his mental health, psychiatrist tells trial. Charges or matters: murdering Garda Colm Horkan with his own gun, is "an unreliable historian" concerning his mental health difficulties, a consultant psychiatrist has told the Central Criminal Court. "One can't be confident of what he says," Professor Harry Kennedy told the jury in the trial of Mr Silver (46), of Aughavard, Foxford, Co Mayo, saying that he found "no positive evidence" that Mr Silver had suffered a relapse of bipolar affective disorder at the time he shot dead Gda Horkan; 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 t

When:

June 17, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
June 23 Other
2023-03-08 Publication

Case subjects

Stephen Silver

Accused

Charges: murdering Garda Colm Horkan with his own gun, is "an unreliable historian" concerning his mental health difficulties, a consultant psychiatrist has told the Central Criminal Court. "One can't be confident of what he says," Professor Harry Kennedy told the jury in the trial of Mr Silver (46), of Aughavard, Foxford, Co Mayo, saying that he found "no positive evidence" that Mr Silver had suffered a relapse of bipolar affective disorder at the time he shot dead Gda Horkan; 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