The community in Castlerea, County Roscommon has been “absolutely devastated” by the killing of Detective Garda Colm Horkan overnight.

The 49-year-old was shot a number of times with his own weapon after an altercation on Main Street in the town shortly before midnight.

Last rites

Parish Priest Father John McManus said Detective Horkan’s colleagues prayed with him when he was called to the scene.

“At that stage the paramedics were working extremely hard as they do but unfortunately, the young man died," he said.

"So, I was invited to perform the last rites, the prayer of anointing and I thought it was very poignant, the whole stillness of the scene and the shock and trauma that was there with his colleagues.

“They actually joined me in prayer just toward the end. It was very sad and I know the town of Castlerea was deeply shocked and saddened that they woke up to this news this morning.”

Parish Priest Father John McManus tells me that Gardaí joined in prayer at the scene of the murder of their colleague Detective Garda Colm Horkan.

He was called last night to give last rites. pic.twitter.com/GSAorciD2n

— Kacey O'Riordan (@KaceyORiordan) June 18, 2020

He said this morning marked a "time of trauma" for the community as a whole and noted that many people in the town would know their local gardaí very well.

“I talked to someone just up the street there a few moments ago and he was probably one of the last people to see this particular garda last night,” he said.

“He was on duty and getting a roll for himself, something as simple as that.  Perhaps that shop assistant was the last person to speak with him.

“Little do any of us know what is ahead of us but it was a very poignant scene last night, filled with deep tragedy and sadness.”

"Horrific day"

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, Castlerea local and Midlands Northwest MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan said the community is “just shocked and completely stunned.”

“We are just reeling here from this,” he said. “It is a strange feeling to be sitting in your house at 12am at night and to hear that a garda has been shot 300 metres way - and 100 metres away from your father and mother-in-law’s house.

“It is an horrific day for Castlerea, it is an horrific day for An Garda Síochána and it just hard to know what to say.”

A Garda at the scene where Detective Garda Colm Horkan was shot dead in Castlerea, County Roscommon, 18-06-2020. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images

"Absolutely devastated"

On the same show, local TD Denis Naughten said the Castlerea community is “absolutely devastated.”

“I think all of us are absolutely shocked and saddened to think that a member of the force, who was out doing his duty last night, protecting the local community, died on the streets of Castlerea,” he said.

“It is devastating news for Colm’s family, for his colleagues in Castlerea and for the local community and our thoughts and our prayers are with them all at this difficult time.”

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

“Terrible price to pay”

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Sligo Leitrim TD Frankie Feighan said people in the town are 'shocked and sad' this morning.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of this garda and his brave garda colleagues and friends," he said.

"This man was killed in the line of duty; shielding us form harm and protecting the vulnerable and it is a terrible price to pay."

A Garda van at the scene where Detective Garda Colm Horkan was shot dead in Castlerea, County Roscommon, 18-06-2020. Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire/PA Images

Line of duty

Deputy Feighan said the killing comes just short of 40 years after two gardaí were shot dead in the nearby village of Lough Glynn.

“Gardaí are of the community,” he said. “They protect the community and we owe a huge debt of gratitude for their sacrifice and it is so sad that a young man is taken down in this manner.

“It is just a huge tragedy and again a huge shock in this area.”

Detective Horkan 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.

The town 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.

A forensic examination is due to get underway at the junction of Patrick Street and Main Street

Investigators are now trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and have appealed for witnesses.

With reporting from Kacey O'Riordan