The friend of a man accused of the murder of a detective in Roscommon two years ago has described the moments leading up to the fatal shooting.
Stephen Silver of Foxford, Mayo is charged with the capital Murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea two years ago.
He's plead not guilty to murder but guilty of man slaughter due to diminished responsibility.
Daniel Considine reports:
Following a 15 minute presentation of a 3d reconstruction of Castlerea featuring the location of all evidence recovered on scene, the friend of the accused and witness to the events on the night took the stand.James Coyne of 17 Knockroe, Castlerea was at home on the afternoon of the 17th when Stephen Silver called to his house. He claimed he had not spoke to the defendant in close to 10 years following a minor fallout. According to the witness, Mr Silver referenced a video he had seen that day of an event a number of years ago involving James Coyne and Gardaí. The pair left the property shortly afterwards and travelled towards Mr Silver's motorbike garage in Mayo, stopping at the Castlerea Garda station first.
When in Mayo, the accused is said to have signed a 750 Ninja Kawasaki Motorbike over to Mr Coyne, with the two later returning to Roscommon with the bike in the evening. On reaching the estate, it's said the pair took turns riding the bike through the estate, with Mr Coyne critisicing Silver for putting the bike into a burnout. Both men decided to go into town for food, with James Coyne said to have disagreed with Silver's plan to take the route past the Garda station. They instead went via St. Patrick's Street where they later encountered Detective Garda Horkan.According to Mr Coyne's evidence to the court, Detective Horkan pulled up his grey unmarked Hyundai next to them at the junction of Patrick Street and Barrack street. His account described how Stephen Silver stuck his head to the open passenger side window of the Garda's car, with the accused said to have raised his voice.
The pair then continued up the street as Detective Horkan left the vehicle and informed Mr Silver that he was under arrest. Stephen Silver and Colm Horkan are then described as getting into a 'bit of a scrap' before Mr Coyne heard gunshots. He claims he took cover in a doorway before retreating back down the street and returning home.
In giving his evidence to court today, James Coyne described Detective Horkan as ' Nice Garda, a good Garda. He'd wave at me when I saw him.
The trial continues this afternoon
