A 43-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with murder following the shooting of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in County Roscommon.
Det Garda Horkan, 49, from Co Mayo, was shot several times in an incident on Wednesday night in Castlerea, County Roscommon.
He died at the scene.
Stephen Silver from Aughaward, Foxford in County Mayo was subsequently arrested.
He appeared before a special sitting of Castlerea District Court on Friday night where he was formally charged with the murder of Det Garda Horkan.
Mr. Silver has been remanded into custody for a week.
An experienced officer, Det Garda Horkan had been a member of the police for 24 years.
He is survived by his father, sister and four brothers.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris paid tribute to the officer.
"I am deeply saddened by the death of my colleague, Detective Garda Colm Horkan," he said.
"My thoughts, and the thoughts of all personnel in An Garda Siochana, are with the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea Garda Station and the detective unit he served in.
"Colm served the communities he worked in with distinction and pride during his 24 years as a member of An Garda Siochana."
The 89th member of the force to be killed in the line of duty, Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar was among those to extend his sympathies to his family.
"Every day our Gardai put themselves on the front line of crime prevention, on behalf of all of us," he said.
"This requires regular acts of bravery and courage. Sometimes the outcome is tragic and a Garda makes the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duties.
"Our thoughts today are with all those grieving as a result of this tragic incident."
See More: Castlerea, Colm Horkan, Roscommon
