The trial of a man accused of murdering a garda has heard a man in a nearby estate was daring the armed squad to come down just moments before the fatal shooting.
Stephen Silver, of Aughavard, Foxford, Co Mayo, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, but denies murdering the 49-year-old.
Frank Greaney had this report:
Stephen Silver is alleged to have murdered Det Garda Colm Horkan near Main Street in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, just before midnight on the 17th of June, 2020.
Today, the jurors heard from a colleague of Detective Horkan’s, who gave evidence of a man coming into Castlerea Garda Station that afternoon to make a complaint about the guards abusing an elderly man. Garda Ray O’Dowd said he was ranting and he described him as angry. The van he left in was registered to Mr Silver.
Laura McIntyre gave evidence of seeing two men taking turns driving a motorbike around where she lives in Knockroe later that night.
She said she heard one of them shouting for the “armed squad to come down”. She told the jury he also said something about a sniper getting a good shot. Not long afterwards, it is the prosecution’s case that Mr Silver used Detective Horkan’s own standard issue firearm to kill him. The 46yo motorbike mechanic denies murder, but has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
