‘Dark cloud hangs over O’Hara Park’
DETECTIVE Garda Colm Horkan, 49, who was shot dead while on duty in Castlerea on Wednesday night, played his last round of golf in Tubbercurry Golf Club the previous Saturday.
As a mark of respect to the Charlestown native, the club committee decided to close the course last Saturday morning.
Garda Horkan, who was from Airport Road in the town, was significantly involved in sport, particularly with his beloved local GAA club, Charlestown Sarsfields.
Tubbercurry Golf Club in a statement said they were devastated to hear of the passing of one of their members.
“We would like to express our sympathies to Colm’s family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Mr Horkan had played inter county football with Mayo at U21 level and was part of the Charlestown side that won Mayo and Connacht senior football titles in 2001 and was a pivotal part of the squad and management when they won another county championship in 2009.
Charlestown Sarsfields Club said there was a dark cloud above Fr O’Hara Park.
“Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club have been left devastated by the untimely and tragic death of our friend and brother, Colm Horkan.
“Colm and his family are synonymous with our club and Gaelic games within Mayo, a very dark cloud hangs over Fr O’Hara Park and our entire community today.
“Ar dheist Dé go raibh a anam dílis,” his devastated club said.
Nearby clubs in south Sligo also extended their sympathies to Garda Horkan’s family, friends and club mates.
Curry GAA Club said they were shocked to hear of Garda Horkan’s death, adding that he had many friends in their club.
“Curry GAA are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic and untimely death of Colm Horkan. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends all at Charlestown Sarsfields and the wider Charlestown community at this time. Colm had many friends in Curry and will be sadly missed by all. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Tourlestrane GAA club also offered their sympathies to the Horkan family and friends. The club added: “Tourlestrane GAA extends sympathies to Marty Horkan and all the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan as well as the Charlestown community and all at Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club.
“We know that Colm was a well respected Garda and a gentleman. He was a proud Sarsfields man who had a huge love for his club.” Sligo GAA also sent sympathies to the family, friends and all who knew Colm especially those in Charlestown GAA.
Tubbercurry GAA club said: “Tubbercurry GAA club would like to extend their condolences to the family, friends, work colleagues and club mates of Colm Horkan on his sad passing. May He Rest In Peace.”
The Sligo Liverpool Supporters Club also sent condolences, to the Horkan family on the passing of Colm who was a lifelong Liverpool fan.
The Roscommon and District Football League has also expressed its condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of Garda Horkan.
In a statement it said Colm was a renowned sportsman and many times had represented the then Roscommon/Galway East and later the Roscommon/Longford Garda Divisions soccer teams.