The file into the murder of Det. Garda Colm Horkan in Roscommon in June has been completed and runs to ten volumes, a court has been told.
Sgt Mark Mahon said that the garda file is now with the Director of Public Prosecutions and will take some time to be processed.
He told Judge James Faughnan at Harristown District Court in Roscommon that considerable progress had been made in the investigation.
Stephen Silver of Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, is charged with the murder of Det. Garda Horkan in Castlerea on June 17, and was due to appear before this (FRIDAY) morning’s sitting of the court by video link.
But the court was told that a sick note had been received and that Silver was unable to appear.
It is the eighth time Silver has deemed unfit to appear by video link at Harristown District Court, which is located beside Castlerea Prison.
Defence solicitor Martina Moran told a previous sitting of the court that 44-year old Silver was being treated at the Central Mental Hospital and that video-link facilities had been arranged there.
Sgt. Mahon said it was an extensive investigation and that progress had been made.
He told previous sittings of the court that the investigation included over 350 house-to-house enquiries, in excess of 200 written statements, over 250 exhibits and the content of ten electronic devices, while gardai also spoke to a person in Australia as part of their enquiries.
Sgt Mahon told Judge Faughnan this (FRIDAY) morning that an officer had been appointed to take charge of the file at the DPP offices and that it was progressing.
“The file is with the DPP. It is being practically reviewed at the moment and has been appointed an officer there.
“While it will take a substantial length of time, the file consists of a total of ten volumes. It is quite substantial. However, the DPP’s office is actively looking into the file at the moment and we hope to have directions as soon as possible. Things are progressing,” said Sgt. Mahon.
Judge Faughnan said it was a large file and would take time but he noted it was progressing.
He remanded Silver in custody to appear before Harristown District Court by video link on October 16 for DPP directions.
