LISTEN - Funeral for murdered Irish police officer takes place in hometown

By PA reporter

A state funeral for a murdered Irish police officer has taken place.

Six gardai carried the coffin of colleague Colm Horkan into the church for his funeral as the song You Raise Me Up was played.

A picture of the murdered garda was displayed on a screen close to the altar.

With limits on the number allowed inside, people gathered outside the church for the service.

Ahead of the funeral, a minute's silence was observed and matched with similar tributes at Garda stations around the country at the same time.

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris joined mourners in the church.

Monsignor Tommy Johnston said Colm Horkan was "deeply loved".

He extended his condolences to his father Marty, his sister Deirdre and his brothers Aiden, Brendan, Dermot and Padraig.

Among symbols left at the altar to represent Colm Horkan's life were his garda notebook, a GAA jersey from his home team in Charlestown and a Liverpool FC tie pin.

His brother Dermot explained the significance of each.

With his voice breaking with emotion, he said: "The Liverpool motto 'you'll never walk alone' summed up Colm perfectly - he never let any of his family or friends walk alone."

In his homily, Monsignor Johnston described the garda as one of nature's gentlemen.

"The gunshots that rang out in the early hours of Wednesday morning echoed not just in the town of Castlerea but right across the country, spreading a story of tragedy and sadness and the loss of life of a detective garda," he said.

"Colm Horkan was a good man, one of nature's gentlemen. That and more, as someone said."

He added: "On Friday night, as his body was brought back home, hundreds of people lined the streets from the GAA pitch to his home. As the hearse passed on its way those lining the street joined in a silent walk of welcome for a man who was dearly loved and respected in the community.

"Old and young gathered for that walk with the various teams, senior and underage, women and men flanking the hearse and the following cars, a silent salute for a man whose voice was gentle and his approach respectful.

"That gentleness and respect earned the goodwill of so many and endeared him to young and old."

The priest said Mr Horkan had a great impact in the communities of Ballaghaderreen and Castlerea where he served.

"Service is such an apt word for Colm for he truly was a man of service, dedicated and diligent," he said.

"Colm loved his life as a guard and gave it his complete commitment.

"One of the good things that have emerged from Covid-19 is that it has helped us to recognise the importance of our frontline workers and up there, very much to the fore, are our guards helping to keep the nation safe.

"Their work never ceases, 24/7 a guard is on duty. In the words of a prayer they 'watch over us while we sleep and protect us while we are awake', under the protection of their patron, Blessed Michael, the Archangel.

"We thank our guards for their commitment and dedication. Long may we be blessed by men and women of true dedication and service, men like Colm Horkan."

Monsignor Johnston acknowledged the death of Colm Horkan had left many people with unanswered questions.

Addressing mourners, Commissioner Drew Harris said Colm Horkan's Garda service was marked by his "hard work and diligence".

The commissioner said his "determination and courage" was on show in the moments before his death on Wednesday night.

"The manner of Colm's death should not eclipse Colm's life," he added.

He told Mr Horkan's family that the garda would always be remembered within the force.

"I want to assure you that Colm's name will live on and he will be remembered within An Garda Siochana in the years to come," he said.

Mourners broke into impromptu applause at the close of the commissioner's address.

Delivering a personal tribute, Mr Horkan's brother Brendan said the outpouring of tributes from across the community had given the family strength.

"Our community has lost a pillar in the true sense of the word," he said.

"Colin was a gem, he was a son and brother like no other.

"He had all the values you would associate with a good and decent human being."

Mr Horkan said his brother was "loyal to the core"."

He was the rock in our family, the man who was the glue that held it all together," he said.

At the close of the service, gardai gathered around Mr Horkan's coffin to remove the national flag and fold it.

It was then presented to Commissioner Harris, who in turn presented it to Mr Horkan's father Marty.

Six gardai then lifted the coffin and carried it from the church in a slow march.

A large crowd was gathered outside the church as Mr Horkan's coffin was carried through them and onward to a private burial ceremony.

Detective Colm Horkan’s remains have been taken to the nearby cemetery for burial as the tricolour and Charlestown GAA flag fly outside St James’ Church. pic.twitter.com/TcJMSEkNdg

— Ben Finnegan (@_BenFinnegan) June 21, 2020