A murder investigation has been launched after Detective Colm Horkan was shot dead in County Roscommon overnight.
The 49-year-old was shot while on patrol on Main Street in Castlerea shortly before midnight, in what Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has described as a "random act".
It has emerged he stopped a man who had been in contact with Gardai earlier in the week when the situation deteriorated into a physical altercation.
His gun was taken from him during the incident and Detective Horkan was shot multiple times after the entire round of bullets was fired from the weapon.
He was treated at the scene by ambulance personnel before being pronounced dead. His body has since been removed to Castlebar General Hospital where a postmortem will be carried out later today.
Arrest
A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene and taken to Castlerea Garda Station.
The town of Castlerea remains effectively shut down this morning with checkpoints on the roads in and out. Armed gardaí have been patrolling the area since the early hours of this morning.
All roads into the town center of Castlerea are closed, following the murder of 49 year old Detective Garda Colm Horkan last night pic.twitter.com/miSqHUjkQp
— Kacey O'Riordan (@KaceyORiordan) June 18, 2020
The scene at the junction of Patrick Street and Main Street remains sealed off ahead of a forensic examination.
The killing has also been referred to GSOC as a garda firearm was involved.
Investigation
Investigators are now trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and gardaí have appealed for witnesses or anyone with any information on the shooting to come forward.
At a briefing this afternoon, Commissioner Drew Harris appealed for any mobile footage people may have from the scene.
“We understand that perhaps an image of the scene was shown on social media very shortly afterwards and we would ask that persons to come forward and give that footage to us,” he said.
“It could be very useful and very important to the investigation.”
In a statement, Gardaí said: “It is with deepest sadness An Garda Síochána confirms the death of our colleague, resulting from fatal gunshot wounds received during an incident in Castlerea shortly before midnight on Wednesday 17th June 2020.”
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
Experienced detective
Detective Horkan was an experienced detective from County Mayo, who had served in the gardaí for 24 years. He is survived by his father, sister and four brothers.
Tributes have been pouring in for him and his family this morning, with the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has extending his deepest sympathies to the officer’s family and friends.
Meanwhile, locals have said the community in Castlerea has been “absolutely devastated” by the killing.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will visit his family and colleagues this afternoon to express his condolences.
With reporting from Kacey O'Riordan and Stephanie Rohan
