Horkan family have no faith in gun holster investigation

The family of Detective Garda Colm Horkan have said they have no faith in an investigation into the suitability of the gun holster that he was wearing at the time of his murder.

In a statement, they also said that they feel extremely let down by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan.

Earlier, Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, said that it opened the investigation after it received a request from the minister.

Det Gda Horkan was murdered in Castlerea in Co Roscommon in June 2020, when Stephen Silver took his gun from his holster and shot him multiple times.

The 43-year-old had stopped Silver on the town's main street, while on patrol, having received a report about a motorcyclist driving recklessly.

A Fiosrú statement said that Mr O'Callaghan asked 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".

Fiosrú also said that it contacted the Horkan family.

The statement from the family outlined how issues about the holster were known to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (now Fiosrú) as far back as 2019 and "they have done nothing".

The Horkans reiterated their call for a public inquiry, and this was backed by Labour Party TD Alan Kelly.

"The minister needs to listen to the Horkan family. This proposal is just insulting to them," he said.

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It comes as the Dáil debated a Private Members' Motion calling for a formal inquiry into the handling of protected disclosures and whistleblower protections.

Introducing the Independent Technical Group motion, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said that "a lack of minsterial oversight" is at the heart of the matter, and "in some cases, in my view, ministers breaking the law".

The motion argues that current legislation fails to protect individuals in public administration and in An Garda Síochána.

Mr Tóibín said that protected disclosures are intended to allow "good people who see wrong doing" to safely report it, but he said in fact good people are "being punished".

He warned of "serious" consequences if this is not addresed: "In future good people will shut up".

Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins supported the motion, citing the murder of Det Gda Horkan - which Mr Tóibín had referenced - and the questions over the gun holster he was issued with.

Responding, Minister O'Callaghan said that "Colm's murder shocked us all".

He said he wanted to wait for the outcome of appeal proceedings in relation to the man convicted of killing Det Gda Horkan - along with other matters - "before considering if there is a need for a public inquiry".

The minister noted concerns which have been raised over the gun holster.

"I am of the view that these are matters of public interest that require independent examination by Fiosrú," he said, naming the independent Office of the Police Ombudsman.

He said he had written to Fiosrú this week "to request that it undertake an investigation in the public interest into matters concerning the safety and suitability of the firearm holster used by Garda Horkan".

He added that "it is not the first time" he has written to Fiosrú on this matter.

"I am confident that the referral by me ... can provide the Horkan family and the public with the answers that they deserve", Mr O'Callaghan said, but added he will consider what "further investigation" is needed if there are outstanding issues.

On the wider issue of protected disclosures, the minister said that he takes them very seriously.