Family of murdered Garda ‘extremely let down’ by Justice Minister O’Callaghan
The Garda watchdog, Fiosrú, has opened an investigation into the suitability of a holster issued to the detective, who was murdered with his own gun.
The family of murdered Garda, Colm Horkan, said they are “extremely let down” by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and have no faith in an investigation into the suitability of the equipment he was using when he died.
Ireland’s police ombudsman, Fiosrú, has commenced an investigation after receiving a request from Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan to conduct an independent investigation into the safety and suitability of the holster used by Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who was murdered with his own gun.
Stephen Silver, of Aughavard, Foxford, Co Mayo, took the gun from the detective’s holster before shooting him dead.
Silver was found guilty of murder in 2023 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum 40-year term.
Concerns have been raised in the Dáil that Mr Horkan had allegedly been issued with a defective holster.
Family members of Garda Horkan are seeking a public inquiry into the circumstances of his death.
In a statement, signed by Deirdre Horkan, Dermot Horkan, Padraig Horkan, Brendan Horkan and Martin Horkan, they said they met Mr O’Callaghan on Tuesday, informing him that there was no reason that a public inquiry couldn’t take place.
“In our meeting we advised the minister that we saw no bar, as he was advocating, to a public inquiry,” the statement said.
“Minister O’Callaghan stated that the outcome of Mr Silver’s appeal was a bar to so doing, yet has now triggered this private investigation to be conducted by Fiosrú.
“As we understand it, Fiosrú have already investigated the protected disclosure of Luke Rochford concerning the holster (and other matters), they had received the protected disclosure of Mr Brian O’Reilly.
“We are not aware of the current position with regard to that investigation but it was Superintendent O’Reilly who had ordered a withdrawal of all the holsters in about mid July 2020.”
“Fiosrú (then GSOC) investigated Garda Edward Connell and the holster in question, the same holster type as Colm’s. The only upshot from that, as we have read, is that Detective Garda Connell was disciplined as a result of the recommendation of GSOC.
The family continued in its statement that they do not trust the Fiosrú investigation, that they have no faith in the process and are disappointed by the Justice Minister.
“In short, issues concerning the holster have been known to GSOC as far back as 2019 and they have done nothing,” the statement said.
“We don’t know what reports, if any, they have provided to the Garda Commissioner/An Garda Síochána arising from any of the matters above.
“We don’t know their terms of reference, we don’t believe that they are going to deal with any of the matters that we have raised and to which we want answers.
“We don’t know who will be interviewed or details of Fiosrú’s involvement or knowledge on the matters at issue at this point.
“In short, we have no faith in this process and feel extremely let down by the minister.”
Detective Garda Horkan was 49 when he was murdered on duty in 2020.
He was shot several times with his own gun on June 17 2020, in Castlerea, Co Roscommon.
In a statement earlier on Wednesday, Fiosrú confirmed it will now commence an investigation.
“Fiosrú has received a request from the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for it to conduct an independent investigation into matters concerning the safety and suitability of the firearm holster used by Detective Garda Colm Horkan at the time of the incident in which he was murdered,” said the statement.
“The request for a public interest investigation was made by Minister Jim O’Callaghan TD by letter to the Police Ombudsman, Emily Logan, on November 2 2026.
“The Police Ombudsman has been in contact with Garda Horkan’s family.
“Fiosrú will now commence its independent investigation, and will make no further comment at this time.”
The move came before a Dáil vote on a motion brought by Aontú calling for a full independent public inquiry into the alleged defective holsters and associated protected disclosures.
However, the Government has tabled a counter motion with the Department of Justice citing assurances from gardaí in 2023 that the holsters are no longer in use.
The Government countermotion notes several ongoing legal processes over the matters, with a spokesperson saying a public inquiry is therefore not being considered “at this time”.
The countermotion, which also notes that Minister O’Callaghan requested that Fiosrú investigate the holster used by Garda Horkan, was carried by the Dáil.