Nation’s silence for ‘selfless’ man
Garda stations across the country pay tribute to slain colleague
‘Our community has lost a pillar’ ‘Remembered in the years ahead’
DETECTIVE Garda Colm Horkan never let his family or friends walk alone, his funeral Mass heard.
Yesterday, on Father’s Day, his colleagues shouldered the coffin of their slain colleague, while across the country people observed a minute’s silence.
They stood outside nearly every Garda station in the country, big and small, rural and urban, in silent reverence and mourning.
The community had lost ‘a pillar in the true sense of the word’, as well as a ‘son and a brother like no other’, the congregation heard, while thousands across the country watched the Mass, streamed live into their own homes.
Det Garda Horkan, 49, was shot dead on Wednesday night in the town of Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. The officer had served 26 years as a member of the force, and his State funeral took place yesterday in Charlestown, Co. Mayo, where he spent much of his life.
As the funeral procession made its way to St James’ Church in the town, hundreds of gardaí lined the streets to pay their respects to their fallen colleague.
Draped with the Tricolour and adorned with the deceased’s Garda hat and gloves, the coffin was carried into the church on the shoulders of his colleagues.
A minute’s silence was observed in the church and in Garda stations across the country at the beginning of the service.
Speaking to the congregation, the tragic garda’s brother Brendan Horkan described him as the family’s rock and ‘the man that was the glue that held it together’.
‘Our community has lost a pillar in the true sense of the word. He was a son and brother like no other. A wonderful uncle. He had all the values you would associate with a good and decent human being,’ Mr Horkan said.
‘He was kind, selfless and above all loyal to the core. He seldom, if ever, made a bad decision and lived his life by the book, which makes it all the more difficult to process the events surrounding that dark and tragic night some four days ago.’
Mr Horkan added that his sibling carried himself with dignity in and out of the uniform, and as a friend and brother he ‘had few peers’.
With his voice breaking with emotion, he told the congregation: ‘The Liverpool motto “you’ll never walk alone” summed up Colm perfectly – he never let any of his family or friends walk alone.’
Applause broke out across the church as Mr Horkan concluded his remarks.
A number of items were left at the altar to represent Det Garda Horkan’s life. Among them were his Garda notebook, a Charlestown Sarsfields GAA jersey from his home team, and a Liverpool FC tie pin. Another of the deceased’s brothers, Dermot, explained the significance of each. Det Garda Horkan played for years with Sarsfields, where he also served in a wide range of roles off the field.
During his homily, chief celebrant Monsignor Tommy Johnston described Det Garda Horkan as one of nature’s gentlemen and said ‘the gunshots that rang out’ on Wednesday night ‘echoed not just in the town of Castlerea but right across the country, spreading a story of tragedy and sadness and the loss of life’.
He added: ‘On Friday night, as his body was brought back home, hundreds of people lined the streets, from the GAA pitch to his home. As the hearse passed on its way, those lining the street joined in a silent walk of welcome for a man who was dearly loved and respected in the community.
‘Old and young gathered for that walk with the various teams, senior and underage, women and men flanking the hearse and the following cars, a silent salute for a man whose voice was gentle and his approach respectful.
‘That gentleness and respect earned the goodwill of so many and endeared him to young and old.’
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan were among those in attendance for the funeral. Commissioner Harris said the deceased ‘epitomised what all of us as members of An Garda Síochána should strive to be’.
‘His service was characterised by his hard work and his diligence, and in the end at 12 midnight on Wednesday evening, his service is entirely characterised by his determination and courage in the exercise of his duty to protect this society. The Commissioner also said that ‘the manner of Colm’s death should not eclipse Colm’s life’, and told Det Garda Horkan’s family he would always be remembered by the force.
‘Colm’s name will live on and he will be remembered within An Garda Síochána in the years ahead,’ he added.
Colm Horkan is survived by his father Marty, sister Deirdre, brothers Aiden, Brendan, Dermot and Pádraig, as well as sisters-in-law, aunts, nieces and nephews.