Courts / Mayo / Report
Murder accused had 'seething resentment' toward gardai, prosecution tell jury
Summary
Stephen Silver, aged 46 of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, stands trial at the Central Criminal Court on a charge of murdering Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. In closing submissions for the prosecution, Michael Delaney SC argued that the shooting was a deliberate act carried out with intent to kill, and that Mr Silver harboured a seething resentment toward gardaí. The prosecution contends that Mr Silver knew Garda Horkan was a member of An Garda Síochána acting in the course of his duty. The defence of diminished responsibility should be rejected, Mr Delaney submitted, noting that psychiatric evidence regarding Mr Silver's mental state remains disputed. The jury, comprising seven men and five women, will hear closing submissions from the defence before Justice Tara Burns before deliberating.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused had 'seething resentment' toward gardai, prosecution tell jury. 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; manslaughter, so he has admitted it was unlawful. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 17, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-03-09 Publication
Why: Mr Delaney today told the jury that the unlawful killing of Gda Horkan is not an issue because Mr Silver has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, so he has admitted it was unlawful. 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; manslaughter, so he has admitted it was unlawful (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- accused called at Castlerea Garda Station
- Castlerea
- U-turn outside the garda station
- Knockroe estate
- James Coyne's house
- 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