Irish police officer dies after shooting in Roscommon

By PA Reporter and Q Radio News

An Irish police officer has died after being shot in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, on Wednesday night.

Gardai in Castlerea, 125 kilometres north-west of Dublin, said in a statement the incident happened just before midnight, and a man is being detained in connection with the matter.

A police officer has been shot and killed in County Roscommon in the Republic of Ireland. One man has been arrested. It happened shortly before midnight in Castlerea but there are no further details. pic.twitter.com/7FDQ5ipV59

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 18, 2020

"One man has been arrested in connection with this investigation and is currently detained in Castlerea Garda Station," the statement said.

Police have closed Castlerea's town centre to traffic as investigations continue in the town of less than 2,000.

"It is with deepest sadness An Garda Siochana confirms the death of our colleague, resulting from fatal gunshot wounds received during an incident in Castlerea shortly before midnight on Wednesday 17th June 2020," the force said.

The officer has since been named as 48 year old Detective Garda Colm Horkan.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris says he was 'deeply saddened by the death'.

He said: "I am deeply saddened by the death of my colleague Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
 
"My thoughts, and the thoughts of all personnel in An Garda Síochána, are with the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea Garda Station and the Detective Unit he served in.
 
"Colm served the communities he worked in with distinction and pride during his 24 years as a member of An Garda Síochána.
 
"Detective Garda Colm Horkan is the 89th member of An Garda Síochána killed in the line of duty. Today is a terrible reminder of the significant sacrifices, including the ultimate sacrifice, that Gardaí make to keep people save.
 
"I want to thank the local community in Castlerea and the country as a whole for the support they have shown to An Garda Síochána and individual Gardaí even in the short time since the incident.
 
"The fatal shooting of Detective Garda Colm Horkan remains under investigation. I want to appeal to anyone with information on this incident or witnessed this incident to contact Castlerea Garda Station at 094 962 1635.”

The body has been removed from the scene to Castlebar General Hospital where a post mortem is due to take place later today by the State Pathologist.

As someone who is from a policing family and as First Minister of Northern Ireland, I send my deepest sympathy to the family and colleagues of the police officer who was killed last night in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

— Arlene Foster #We’llMeetAgain (@DUPleader) June 18, 2020

The scene at the junction of Patrick Street and Main Street Castlerea remains sealed off pending a forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

Justice Minister Naomi Long also expressed her shock following the fatal shooting of a 48 year old garda officer.

Naomi Long said: “Last night Detective Garda Colm Horkan lost his life while he was on duty, serving and protecting his local community in county Roscommon. 

“I want to express my sincere sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues as they come to terms with this awful news.”

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP also expressed his condolences.

He wrote : “Like many others, I was shocked to hear that member of An Garda Síochána was shot and killed last night in Roscommon.

“My thoughts today are with the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan as they come to terms with this tragedy. Police and Gardaí across this island put themselves at great personal risk to serve our communities, to lose dedicated public servants like this is tragic.

“I hope that those responsible are brought to justice quickly.”

Policing Board Chair Doug Garrett also extended his condolences following the fatal shooting of Garda Officer Horkan.  

 “On behalf of the Members and staff of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, I wish to extend sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. 

 "This officer lost his life serving and protecting the community and our thoughts are with his family and colleagues as they come to terms with this terrible loss.”