A Detective Garda shot and killed in Roscommon in 2020 had escorted the man accused of his murder to local psychiatric services 17 years before the fatal shooting.
That was the evidence submitted to the jury in the trial of Stephen Silver for the murder of Colm Horkan on June 17th, 2020 following the viewing of the defendants 5th and final Garda interview today.
The Foxford based bike mechanic is charged with Detective Horkan's murder, pleading not guilty to the charge but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Day 13 of the trial saw the final video evidence of the Garda interviews of the accused played, finishing close to 15 hours of footage viewed by the court. Following evidence yesterday where Gardaí stated that Stephen Silver did in fact know Colm Horkan was a member of the Garda Siochana, something Mr Silver has denied previously, interviewing detectives revealed that the 46 year old had come into contact with the victim close to 17 years previous. A retired Garda sergeant based in Castlerea, Tom O'Connor took to the stand today to give his evidence of the incident in 2003 that saw Gardaí called to the family home of Stephen Silver in Granlahan, County Roscommon. The former sergeant described that despite being off duty on the 29th of October 2003, he received a phonecall regarding an issue that needed to be addressed, before stating the incident was in relation to a call from the mother of the accused regarding his behaviour at the family home.
He attended the scene along with a local Doctor who had been dealing with the family, confirming that a Garda escort to the Psychiatric Unit at Roscommon University Hospital was warranted and directed attending Gardaí to transport Mr Silver. These members were Garda Lyn Walsh and Garda Colm Horkan. The former sergeant described being present when the squad car left and some time later receiving a call from the Gardaí that the escort had been 'no hassle'.
The trial continued this morning and afternoon, hearing from a range of technical witnesses including Garda crime scene investigators, forensic scientists and finger print analysts and will continue tomorrow at the central criminal court.
