Ombudsman to investigate if holster worn by murdered detective was defective
Detective Garda Horkan was aged 49 when he was shot with his own gun while on duty in Co Roscommon in 2020.
The Garda watchdog has opened an investigation into the suitability of a holster issued to a detective who was murdered with his own gun.
Ireland’s police ombudsman, Fiosrú, has commenced the probe 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.
Detective Garda Horkan was aged 49 when he was murdered while on duty in 2020.
He was shot several times with his own gun on June 17, 2020 in Castlerea, Co Roscommon.
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.
His family is seeking a public inquiry into the circumstances of his death.
In a statement, 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 Monday 2 November 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 comes 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 also notes that Minister O’Callaghan requested that Fiosrú investigate the holster used by Garda Horkan.