“This loss of life damages our society as a whole.”
President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have expressed their deepest sympathies following the fatal shooting of Garda detective Colm Horkan in Roscommon on Wednesday night.
Detective Colm Horkan, from Charlestown in Mayo, was shot while on duty on his own shortly before midnight in Castlerea on Wednesday night. He is the 89th member of An Garda Síochána to be killed in the line of duty since the establishment of the force.
In a statement on Thursday morning, President Michael D Higgins said that the news of the tragic death “has come as a shock to us all”.
“An Garda Síochána play a crucial role in our communities and this loss of life damages our society as a whole,” President Higgins said.
“May I offer my deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of the Garda, and to all those who have been affected by this tragedy.
“I have contacted the Garda Commissioner to express my deepest sympathies on this terrible loss of a member of the Force.”
Commenting on Detective Horkan’s tragic death, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the Garda who has died in the course of their duties.
“Every day our Gardaí put themselves on the frontline of crime prevention, on behalf of all of us. This requires regular acts of bravery and courage.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin stated that he was “shocked and saddened” at the news, saying: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his community and all his colleagues who continue to bravely protect us all from harm every day.”
In a statement, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the incident “will have caused serious shock and outrage in the local community in Castlerea and the wider region”.
“I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of the Garda killed in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon last night,” McDonald said.
“This is a shocking incident and is a sad and difficult day for An Garda Síochána, not just in Roscommon but across the State.
“My thoughts are with the Garda’s family and colleagues at this time.”
“My thoughts are also with those in the community today,” McDonald added.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
