The Taoiseach has offered his deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who was shot dead in County Roscommon overnight.
Detective Horkan died after he was shot on the main street of Castlerea shortly before midnight.
It is believed he was shot with his own weapon after an altercation near the garda station on the main street of the town.
He was an experienced detective from County Mayo, who had served as a garda for 24 years. He is survived by his father, sister and four brothers.
Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
RIP - 17th June 2020.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/O1MHMHMB2L— Garda Info (@gardainfo) June 18, 2020
On Newstalk Breakfast, The Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin offered his sympathies to Detective Horkan's family and his Garda colleagues who "always continue to protect us all from harm in the line of duty."
“It reminds us all of the danger every garda faces every time they go on duty to protect society and to protect the harmony and peace of the democracy we all enjoy,” he said.
“It is just very, very sad news - devastating indeed - for all concerned and I just want to express my sympathies to his family and to all his colleagues.”
He said there will be "much revulsion" all around the country at the fact that a garda's life has been taken, "so cruelly and wilfully."
On The Pat Kenny Show meanwhile, the Fianna Fáil justice spokesperson said the killing was an "attack on democracy."
"It is a terrible day for the country, it is a terrible day for An Garda Síochana but most of all it is a terrible day for the family of Detective Garda Colm Horkan," he said.
“When a member of An Garda Síochaná is attacked and brutally killed as was the case with Detective Garda Horkan, it is an attack on all of us,” he said.
“It is an attack on our democracy and it is an attack on civilised society because we are very lucky in this country to have a police force that has the support of the community.”
Earlier on the same show, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan offered his sympathy to Detective Horkan’s family and gardaí all around the country.
“This morning, we reflect on what it is to be a member of An Garda Síochána,” he said.
“It is a difficult career. They are charged with protecting us all from harm on a 24/7 basis and they put themselves in harm’s way in order to ensure our protection.
“That is why the news this morning is particularly tragic.”
File photo of Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan. Picture by Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ieHe said the death would serve as a “reminder to us of the work of An Garda Síochána and their duty and the risks they take in order to ensure that we are safe in our homes.”
“Think about over the last weeks, during the COVID emergency, when the Gardaí worked to assist communities urban and rural and particularly helping the vulnerable and now we have a situation where, once again sadly, we are waking up to the tragic loss of life of an active member of the Garda service.
“My sympathy to all gardaí at this particular time.”
"Experienced detective"
The president of the Garda Representative Association Jim Mulligan said Detective Horkan was an “experienced detective greatly respected by colleagues.”
“Our brave colleague died as result of injuries sustained when he was responding to an incident,” he said.
“A native of Co Mayo, he joined An Garda Síochána in 1995, and was an experienced detective greatly respected by colleagues.
“He is survived by his father, sister and four brothers. Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues at this very distressing time.”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris inspects the 319 new Gardaí who are today leaving Templemore for front-line duty, 19-03-2020. Image: Mark Condren/PA Wire/PA Images"Terrible reminder"
The Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said he was “deeply saddened” at the death of his colleague.
“Colm served the communities he worked in with distinction and pride during his 24 years as a member of An Garda Síochána,” he said.
“Detective Garda Colm Horkan is the 89th member of An Garda Síochána killed in the line of duty.
“Today is a terrible reminder of the significant sacrifices, including the ultimate sacrifice, that Gardaí make to keep people save.
“I want to thank the local community in Castlerea and the country as a whole for the support they have shown to An Garda Síochána and individual Gardaí even in the short time since the incident.”
He appealed to anyone with any information regarding the killing to contact Castlerea Garda Station.
File photo of President Michael D Higgins during a visit to Liverpool."Traumatic for society"
The President Michael D Higgins said the killing will “come as a shock to us all.”
“As President of Ireland I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the Garda, and to all those who have been affected by this tragedy,” he said.
“An Garda Síochána play a crucial role in our communities and this loss of life is traumatic for our society as a whole.
“I have contacted the Garda Commissioner to express my deepest sympathies on this terrible loss of a member of the Force.”
“Bravery and courage”
In a statement, Leo Varadkar said Detective Horkan put himself on the line on behalf of the Irish people.
“I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the Garda who has died in the course of their duties,” he said.
“Every day our Gardai put themselves on the frontline of crime prevention, on behalf of all of us.
“This requires regular acts of bravery and courage. Sometimes the outcome is tragic and a Garda makes the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duties.
“Our thoughts today are with all those grieving as a result of this tragic incident.”
A man in his 40s has been arrested in connection with the shooting 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.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks to the media during a visit to the Civil Defence Dublin Branch on Wolfe Tone Quay. Picture by: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam"
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."
