Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I join the other Members in paying tribute to Detective Garda Colm Horkan. His death reminds us that members of An Garda Síochána put themselves at considerable risk every day to keep our communities safe. It is particularly poignant to note that three other gardaí from Detective Garda Horkan's graduating class - Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, Garda Eoin Fitzgerald and Garda Ambrose Fogarty - have lost their lives in the line of duty.

In Ireland, we benefit greatly from having a police force who are focused on keeping our communities safe rather than the rigid law enforcement approach that is seen in many other countries. That approach is most clearly demonstrated by the unarmed nature of our police force. As Michael Staines, the first Garda Commissioner, stated, "The Garda Síochána will succeed not by force of arms or numbers, but on their moral authority as servants of the people."

Our gardaí face very real dangers as they undertake their work, whether dealing with highly-resourced and organised criminal gangs or facing seemingly random incidents of violence. The events that took place in Castlerea remind us all of the reality that members of An Garda Síochána face every single day.

Since his tragic death, the outpouring of grief from colleagues and the wider community in Roscommon and Mayo tells us of the type of man that Detective Garda Horkan was. The stories being told about him by friends and family have provided us with a picture of him as deeply embedded in his community, loyal to his friends and always conscious of his role in giving back to others. On behalf of the Green Party, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Detective Garda Horkan. May he rest in peace.

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