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Charlestown

Funeral of Detective Garda Colm Horkan taking place in Co Mayo

The 49-year-old died following a shooting in Castlerea, Co Roscommon on Wednesday night.

LAST UPDATE | Jun 21st 2020, 12:07 PM

GARDA FUNERAL_I2A0998 Gardaí carry the coffin of Detective Garda Colm Horkan through Charlestown, Co Mayo Leon Farrell Leon Farrell

THE FUNERAL OF Detective Garda Colm Horkan is taking place today in Charlestown, Co Mayo. 

The 49-year-old died following a shooting in Castlerea, Co Roscommon on Wednesday night. 

Gardaí are making arrangements to ensure the officer is afforded formal state honours within the current coronavirus limitations on the size of public gatherings.

Garda colleagues across the country are observing one minute’s silence at 12 noon as the service gets under way at St James’ church in Detective Garda Horkan’s home town of Charlestown.

The chief celebrant today is Monsignor Tommy Johnston, Parish Priest of Charlestown, who is also delivering the homily. 

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan is representing the government at the funeral. 

President Michael D Higgins will today lead a memorial service on the grounds of his residence at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

The national flag will be flown at half-mast at the Aras as a mark of respect and the President will observe one minute’s silence at the Peace Bell in the grounds.

Sergeant Sinead Riley, Sergeant-in-Charge at Aras an Uachtarain, will ring the Peace Bell at the start and end of the memorial ceremony.

Stephen Silver (43) from Aughaward, Foxford in Co Mayo was remanded in custody on Friday night charged with the garda’s murder.

With reporting by Hayley Halpin