Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
You’ll Never Walk Alone: Liverpool’s message
LIVERPOOL FC paid tribute to fallen Garda Colm Horkan last night, a lifelong supporter of the club.
In a video message to the detective’s family ahead of his funeral today, club ambassador Ian Rush told them: “You’ll never walk alone.”
He said players would be
“keeping Colm in their prayers” as they return to the the pitch for the Merseyside derby against Everton tonight.
Liverpool fans the length and breadth of Ireland have pledged to stand for a minute’s silence at midday today along with gardai across the country.
Colm was a keen GAA man who dreamed of the Sam Maguire returning to Mayo – but he was also looking forward to watching Liverpool play out the season. His beloved Reds are two wins away from taking their Premier League title and winning the league after a 30-year drought.
Ian Rush, photographed with Colm at a football match several years ago, said he was “deeply saddened by this awful tragedy”. The legendary striker added: “I have since learned that Det Garda Colm Horkan was a lifelong Liverpool fan and when I saw the picture of us together it really was upsetting to say the least.
“Colm should be remembered for the gentleman he was and how much he devoted his life to protecting and serving the public.”
“I would like to send a message to the Horkan family at this difficult time.
“I would like them to know that I have shared Colm’s story with my colleagues at Liverpool and first and foremost from myself and everyone at Liverpool Football Club we want to express our deepest sympathy with the Horkan family.
“I have reached out to our team players and they will be keeping Colm in their prayers before today’s game.
“May he rest in peace. I want to let his family know that they will never walk alone.”