Killing of Detective resonated deeply locally

THE murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan last week was a shocking reminder that our Gardai serve the public by putting themselves in harm’s way, day in, day out.

Here in Dundalk, the killing resonated all the more deeply, given the memories fo the fatal shootings of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe in Lordship in 2013 and Garda Tony Golden in Omeath in 2015.

Their killings will never be forgotten by all right thinking people in this community.

Both men were immersed in the local community and that is the one element of Detective Garda Colm Horkan’s killing which stood out.

He too was part and parcel of his local community, actively involved in his GAA club and very well regarded by all those who came into contact with him.

While Detective Horkan was afforded a state funeral, many of his colleagues couldn’t attend his funeral due to the travel and social distancing restrictions which are part of the fight against COVID-19.

Scenes of Gardai standing in silent tribute and memory of their colleague on the news on Sunday night were striking and the photos of Gardai here in Dundalk were especially pogniant.

It was only on this page last week, that I wrote a headline ‘Gardai deserve our protection from attacks’.

This followed the arson attack on the home of a Garda in Dundalk and was the third similar attack in the previous 18 months.

In that article last week, I referred to Gardai being threatened, abused and spat at while policing during COVID lockdown.

We remember Detective Horkan and all Gardai killed in our service at this very sad time for his family and colleagues.