A full murder investigation is underway after the fatal shooting of Detective Garda Colm Horkan yesterday in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, yesterday.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone who was in the Castlerea Town Centre area between 11pm on 17/06/2020 and 12:30am on 18/06/2020, particularly any road users who may have dash cam footage, to contact the incident room in Castlerea Garda Station on 094 962 1635.

The crime scene, at the junction of Patrick Street and Main Street in Castlerea, remains sealed off pending a forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

A man, aged in his 40s was arrested at the scene and remains detained at Castlerea Garda Station under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939. 

Shocked

Justice minister Charlie Flanagan has said he is deeply shocked and saddened by the shooting.

“The brave Detective Garda who died last night died in the line of duty, serving and protecting the community. 

“His death will cause untold heartbreak to his family, loved ones and all his colleagues in An Garda Síochána across the whole country. It is also a loss to wider Irish society. 

“His heroism and the debt of gratitude which we owe to him and his family will never be forgotten,” the minister said.

Dismay 

The Policing Authority said it had learned with great shock and dismay of the death. 

It described the killing of a Garda, as well as being a wilful denial of the right to life, is an attack on the essence and the foundations of our democracy.

“It is a fundamental assault on the principle of equality. In the midst of exemplary service to the community during the health emergency, the Garda Síochána will mourn the death of a colleague. 

“On behalf of the Authority, I extend deepest sympathies to the family of the Garda and to his colleagues throughout the organisation,” said chairman Bob Collins.

As this incident involves an official Garda firearm, it has been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission under section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act.