It’s time for answers about the death of Garda Colm Horkan

THE family of murdered Detective Garda Colm Horkan have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of this Republic. They have lost a loved one to senseless violence – which he encountered in the course of his duty.

In the aftermath of his killing appropriate tribute was paid to his heroism, and at his funeral the honours afforded by the State to those who selflessly serve an ideal greater than themselves, than all of us, were duly applied.

But what we know now is that there was at least some level of lip service applied, by those in senior Garda management whose job it was to give Garda Horkan all of the best tools available to allow him to play his hazardous part in as safe a manner as could reasonably be expected.

This newspaper has previously reported that a whistleblower raised concerns over the holster that Garda HQ had issued as standard – concerns that were only acted upon after the tragic death and a separate life changing incident involving another garda. We also followed up with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris who fobbed off our query of whether or not he had failed Det Garda Horkan by insisting that no, his murderer had failed him.

Colm was killed by Stephen Silver. Of that there is no doubt.

Silver has been convicted of murder and is serving a minimum of 40 years.

The sentence is so severe because it is reflective of the importance that this society places on those who guard the line between order and chaos.

Until 2001, we still had the option of the death penalty being applied to what is termed a capital murder.

Because it is recognised as an attack not just on Det Garda Horkan, or a crime against his family, but as an assault on what and who we are as a society.

Right-minded citizens view the murder of a garda as reprehensible. Fellow gardaí will also add a personal shudder at the reality that there, but for the grace of God, go they.

As such, today’s revelations of specific questions that Colm Horkan’s family are asking the

Garda Commissioner once more raise doubts about Mr Harris’s leadership of the force. They are asking what the Garda Commissioner knew about the defective holster. And if he didn’t know anything, why didn’t he?

They are asking that he now needs to find out who did know, and didn’t tell him. These are simple questions.

Until they are answered, it is hard to fathom how any garda can feel that their safety is a top priority for the force. And it is hard to see how any government or justice minister can allow such a situation to prevail.