Mayo family of murdered Garda Colm Horkan call for public inquiry

Garda Horkan was shot responding to an incident in Castlerea on June 17, 2020. He got out of his car to speak to Steven Silver, from Foxford. That man then took the gun off him, and shot Mr Horkan several times.

Silver was later found guilty of murdering Garda Horkan.

In a statement issued Thursday evening, Detective Horkan's family said several people, including those who had made protected disclosures, had repeatedly raised concerns that the holster was faulty and not fit for purpose.

It said complaints and disclosures about the equipment had been made before Detective Horkan's murder.

The family also referred to Detective Garda Edward Connell, who suffered life-changing injuries in an incident involving the same type of holster just six days before Colm Horkan was shot dead.

The family statement was issued on behalf of Detective Horkan's father, sister, and three brothers. It cites media reporting and whistleblower allegations in relation to Det Garda Horkan's murder.

"It is clear" the statement says, "that the authorities were on notice of serious issues concerning the holster."

Independent Senator Michael McDowell has previously called for a full, independent investigation into the handling of protected disclosures within An Garda Síochána.

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has so far rejected calls for a public inquiry into the wider whistleblower allegations.

In its statement, the Horkan family said it had no confidence that they would ever know the truth without an independent public inquiry.

"We want this for Colm but also so the public at large will know how these matters are dealt with and what happens to people such as these protected disclosers when they seek to raise matters within State bodies and in particular, An Garda Síochána," it said.

Read the full statement from Garda Colm Horkan’s family here:

THIS IS A STATEMENT OF THE FAMILY OF COLM HORKAN (DECEASED)

Colm was murdered in the line of duty on the 17 June 2020 on Main Street, Castlerea, County Roscommon. On the 17 June 2020, he was shot a total of 11 times and passed away from his injuries in the early hours of the 18 June 2020.

Since that time, our lives have been a nightmare. We continue to live and endure Colm’s loss and constant references to Colm in the media. We have had to go through the whole criminal process leading to the conviction of Stephen Silver for his murder.

For Colm, we would do anything to ensure that he is not forgotten, but also to ensure that the circumstances giving rise to his death are investigated and dealt with in an open and transparent way and that we, his family, are satisfied that we fought for him to ensure that all the circumstances of that fateful night are known.

For years now, we have listened to various people telling us that there are issues concerning the holster that Colm was using on the night in question.

Several persons, including protected disclosers, have stated repeatedly that it was known that this holster was faulty, that it was not fit for purpose, had been made by a saddlery and that complaints and disclosures had been made before the incident concerning the holster. Only six days before this, Detective Garda Edward Connell suffered life-changing injuries by reason of this faulty holster. It was made of pliable leather.

It did not have the necessary stability to prevent movement and removal of the gun from the holster. We have met with former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, who did not have this holster properly and independently examined. We have continuously sought answers from the Commissioner but also from former Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD and Mr Jim O’Callaghan TD Minister for Justice.

As far back as November 2023, the Garda Commissioner stated that he was not aware of any earlier complaints concerning the holster itself, but he did state that he was directing that they be replaced with a “modern holster” which would prevent its “easy removal”.

It is clear, therefore, that the authorities were on notice of serious issues concerning the holster. The authorities, in particular the Commissioner, knew of the risks. None of this is to take from the fact that Stephen Silver murdered Colm. We have many, many questions which remain unanswered but are continuously asked:

Was the correct procedure for procurement of these holsters in line with acceptable standards? Was a risk and or health and safety process undertaken?

At what point was the Garda organisation, including the Garda Commissioner, aware of issues with the holsters and what steps, if any, did they take or seek to undertake prior to Colm’s death?

What was the reason to delay the replacement of the holsters when the fault had already been known and notified? When notified, what did the authorities/An Garda Síochána do and when?

Given what we know about these holsters, what was their contribution to the circumstances giving rise to Colm’s murder?

In respect of any investigation, what was the outcome and the actions taken by An Garda Síochána and/or the Garda Commissioner in relation to Detective Garda Connell and the death of our own brother?

A Public Inquiry.

All we are seeking is the truth. The revelations of the Protected Disclosures Unit members and others in the recent RTÉ Investigates programme has simply heightened our deeply held concerns. These revelations continue to raise unanswered questions. We want justice for Colm. We want a Public Inquiry.

We want this for Colm but also so the public at large will know how these matters are dealt with and what happens to people such as these protected disclosers when they seek to raise matters within State bodies and in particular, An Garda Síochána. We have no confidence that we will ever know the truth in the absence of an Independent Public Inquiry.

The Minister for Justice and other authorities should have nothing to fear from a Public Inquiry, though our request in respect of this has on so many occasions fallen on deaf ears. We do not wish to wait any longer and formally request that the Minister for Justice through Government immediately calls for and establishes a Tribunal Inquiry.

Deirdre Horkan, Dermot Horkan, Padraig Horkan, Brendan Horkan and Martin Horkan

Dated 15 October 2026