Castleisland joins tribute to Garda Colm Horkan

WHILE the state Funeral of Detective Garda Colm Horkan was being held from mid-day on Sunday in St James’ Church in Charlestown, County Mayo, his Garda colleagues around the country stood in respect and silence.

In Castleisland, present and retired members of the force were joined – at a distance – by local people and elected representatives including Cllr. Bobby O’Connell, Cllr Charlie Farrelly and Cllr Fionnán Fitzgerald.

Detective Garda Colm Horkan’s epitaph from his own people stands as a powerful testimony to how he advised, protected and served them in the course of the life he gave in the line of duty.

Castleisland’s tribute was probably the longest in Ireland as the ‘Guard’ of honour had to wait in place for local PP Fr Mossie Brick to finish Mass at the nearby parish church.

And it was on the longest day of the year after all.

When he arrived, Fr Brick passed on his condolences to the row of Garda Horkan’s colleagues spread in a line across the length of the Garda station on the town’s Tralee Road.

He also used the occasion to express his admiration and thanks to the members of the force for the work they do and what they have done in the extremely tough times we are all going through.

Fr Brick then recited a few lines of a Brendan Kennelly poem. After all, and fittingly, didn’t the Ballylongford-born Kennelly say that poetry is the ultimate democracy.

And the men and women who stood out before Fr Brick on Sunday, in solidarity with their fallen colleague, are the ultimate upholders of democracy in their often-dangerous lines of duty.

Picture: John Reidy A book of condolences and floral tributes as serving and retired members of the force join to pay tribute to their fallen colleague, Detective Garda Coln Horkan, at Castleisland Garda Station as his Funeral service was being conducted in County Mayo.