Murdered garda Colm Horkan ‘one of nature’s gentlemen’, funeral hears

Gardai lined the streets as the coffin carrying Mr Horkan was carried through his home town ahead of the funeral in Charlestown, Co Mayo.

The coffin of the detective garda was draped in the Irish flag with his cap and gloves laid on the top.

Mr Horkan, 49, was shot dead on Wednesday night in the town of Castlerea in Co Roscommon.

Among symbols left at the altar to represent his life at the beginning of the funeral service were his garda notebook, a GAA jersey from his home team in Charlestown and a Liverpool FC tie pin.

His brother Dermot explained the significance of each.

With his voice breaking with emotion, he told the congregation: “The Liverpool motto ‘you’ll never walk alone’ summed up Colm perfectly – he never let any of his family or friends walk alone.”

Among those present were Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

In his homily, Monsignor Tommy Johnston described the garda as one of nature’s gentlemen.

“The gunshots that rang out in the early hours of Wednesday morning echoed not just in the town of Castlerea but right across the country, spreading a story of tragedy and sadness and the loss of life of a detective garda,” he said.

“Colm Horkan was a good man, one of nature’s gentlemen. That and more, as someone said.”