Courts / Mayo / Report
Jury to continue deliberating in Garda Colm Horkan murder trial
Summary
The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Stephen Silver continues deliberations in the case concerning the death of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on June 17, 2020. Mr Silver, aged 46 and from Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury, comprising seven men and five women, has deliberated for over five hours and will resume considerations on a third day. Justice Tara Burns has directed the panel that possible verdicts include capital murder, murder simpliciter, or manslaughter based on diminished responsibility or self-defence. The central issue concerns Mr Silver's mental state at the time of the shooting. The defence argues Mr Silver was experiencing a relapse of mental illness that substantially reduced his responsibility, while the prosecution contends the shooting was a deliberate act motivated by resentment towards gardaí. Expert psychiatric evidence was presented by both the defence and prosecution regarding Mr Silver's mental condition at the time of the incident.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury to continue deliberating in Garda Colm Horkan murder trial. 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 has 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 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-03-14 Publication
Why: In her directions to the jury yesterday, Ms Justice Burns today told the panel of seven men and five women that the possible verdicts they could consider relate to capital murder, murder simpliciter, or manslaughter either because of diminished responsibility or self-defence. Defence account reported by CNI
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 has 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
Topics
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