Watchdog opens investigation into death of Detective Garda Colm Horkan

The Irish police watchdog Fiosrú has opened an investigation into the death of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, the Irish Examiner reported. Detective Garda Horkan died on 17 June 2020 after an assailant took his firearm while he was on duty in Castlerea, County Roscommon. [1][3]

The Irish Examiner reported that Detective Garda Horkan was shot 11 times. According to Shannonside and the Irish Examiner, the investigation by Fiosrú focuses on the gun holster that the officer was using at the time of the shooting. [1][2]

The probe follows renewed calls from the family of the former detective for an inquiry into his death. The family stated that several people, including protected disclosers, had repeatedly said that the holster was known to be faulty, was not fit for purpose, and had been made by a saddlery. [1]

Detective Garda Horkan was an officer in the Garda Síochána, the national police service of Ireland. He was shot dead while working on an anti-crime patrol in Castlerea by a 43-year-old man. [3]