Colm Horkan 1970 - 2020

Tuesday, June 23, 2020 • The Mayo News colm horkan 1970-2020 1 A heartbreaking final farewell for Colm Horkan

Michael Commins Charlestown

HE slow march of garda col- leagues carrying the coffin of Detective Garda Colm Horkan edged its way along Chapel Street towards St TJames’ Church some minutes before noon on Sunday. Along the mile and a half route from the Horkan family home to the church, gardaí, friends and neighbours lined each side of the road into The Square, stop- ping outside The Dew Drop Inn which was run by the Horkan family from 1974 to 1993. It was but another touching and poignant moment in a week that saw the world of the Horkan family turned upside y FINAL FAREWELL Marty Horkan, father of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, holds the tricolour at his graveside in St James’ down. Church, Charlestown, Co Mayo. Pic: Michael McLaughlin The cortege proceeded over the small bridge and up Chapel Street with friends and neighbours sharing carrying duties before Colm’s brothers, Aiden, Brendan, ‘Colm was a gem; he was a son Dermot and Padraig, shouldered the heaviest cross of all. Tears flowed freely on both sidewalks along the way. and brother like no other’ Members of An Garda Síochána car- ried the coffin, draped in the Irish flag, with Colm’s cap and gloves on top, for the final stretch to the church where the Tricolour and the green and white flag to a terrific man in the true sense of the beaming smile that would light up a of Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club Brendan Horkan word. room and brighten up many a dark hour flew at half-mast. Colm loved his football and served and day. Brendan Horkan, in a quiet, dignified, delivered an Charlestown Sarsfields with distinction The journey home from Castlebar from moving and powerful tribute at the end emotional and over a long and stellar career. He graced the postmortem tugged on the heart of the Mass said his brother Colm was the green and white jersey with honour strings of the communities of Bohola, kind, considerate, selfless and above all, powerful eulogy to and excellence and was front and centre Moy Davitts, Swinford, Carracastle, loyal to the core. “He was a rock in our in many of our fine successes over the Charlestown, Ballaghaderreen, Tour- family, the man that was the glue that his brother Colm course of a career that saw him reach lestrane, Curry and all the GAA clubs held it all together. some marvellous heights. that lined the roads and streets to com- “One thing for sure is he leaves a legacy He played with courage, intelligence memorate his honour and pay their of wonderful memories that we will and passion and O’Hara Park was the respects to a man who they had many a cherish and hold dear in our hearts for- It’s a sad day for the Horkan family and scene of some of his greatest ever per- battle and joust with on the field of ever as we say goodbye to a giant who for the town and community of Char- formances as he inspired his team and play. brought so much joy and happiness to lestown as we lay our brother to rest led by example at all times. He was a We as a family were proud and hon- us all for 49 fantastic and brilliant years long before his time. Our community leader and played with passion and belief oured of the way they honoured his that he was here.” has lost a pillar in the true sense of the that typified his character and never let memory. We would like to extend our Earlier, Msgr Tommy Johnston, who word as we struggle to comprehend the the jersey down and always came up heartfelt thanks to all those who took was the chief celebrant, said that the shocking events of Wednesday the 17th with the right pass or crucial score to their time out to express their sympathy gunshots that rang out in the early hours when a man was cut down in the prime get us over the line in many of our epic and take a moment to remember the of Wednesday morning echoed not just prayer. This is the church where Colm were a garda notebook, his Charlestown y GUARDING THE of Ireland Chaplain to An Garda Sío- of his life doing the job he loved and victories. man that he was both as a player and a in the town of Castlerea but right across was baptised, where he received his First Sarsfields jersey, car keys, a CD, aT ommy WAY The funeral chána, was welcomed to Charlestown serving the country in the best way he He also represented Mayo at under 21 person. Mine and the family’s emotions the country, spreading a story of tragedy Communion and Confirmation, here for Hilfiger shirt, a family photo and a Liv- cortege of Detective Church by Msgr Tommy Johnston. The knew how. level and this was a proud day for his are in turmoil at this time as it has come and sadness and the loss of life of a a number of years he was a Minister of erpool tie pin. Garda Colm Horkan final commendation was delivered by Colm was a gem; he was a son and father Marty and late mother Dolores time to bid farewell to a man who made makes its way down Detective Garda. the Word and now he is here for the final Padraig Horkan and Bosco Walsh pre- Chapel Street to St Fr Paul Dempsey, Bishop-elect of brother like no other, a wonderful uncle who were such a constant presence in our lives so much better in his presence “Colm Horkan was a good man, one of farewell.” sided at the readings. The Prayers of the James’ Church, Achonry. to Kealen, Ciara, Louise, Odhran, Mat- his life, both always supporting him on and actions. He was always a provider nature’s gentlemen, that and more, as The Garda Commissioner, Drew Har- Faithful were read by Seán Higgins, Ser- Charlestown. Pic: At the end of the Mass, a wave of emo- thew and Emma. He had all the values the sideline and providing support for of good and sound advice and was an someone said. On Friday night as his ris, spoke of Colm’s dedication and loy- geant Declan Casey, Eileen Howell, John Michael McLaughlin tion swept over all who were watching you would associate with a good and whatever team he was representing on absolute treasure when it came to fam- body was brought back home, hundreds alty. Hynes, Garda Martin Coyle, Owen Walsh, the ceremony as garda colleagues fol- decent human being. He was kind, con- any given day. ily and how he interacted with each and of people lined the streets from the GAA “Detective Garda Colm Horkan epito- Aoife Walsh, and Caroline Kennedy. lowed the Tricolour and Commissioner siderate, selfless and above all, loyal to Colm was a believer in giving 100 per- every one of us. pitch to his home. mised what all of us as members of An Marty Horkan and Anne Marie Kivle- Harris presented it to Marty Horkan. Six the core. He was a rock in our family, cent in everything he did on the football He had so much to live for and got such “As the hearse passed on its way, those Garda Síochána should strive to be. han brought up the gifts of bread and gardaí raised the coffin and carried it the man that was the glue that held it all field and this was a mantra he brought enjoyment out of life that today feels lining the street joined in a silent walk “He was approachable, well known, wine in the Offertory procession. from the church in a slow march to the together. He seldom if ever made a bad into work and life in general. These were like such a horrible and nonsensical of welcome for a man who was dearly and respected in his local community. I Garda Alan McGinty, a native of Ballina, adjoining cemetery where Garda Alan decision and lived his life by the book the values he was instilled with at an event. The reality has hit us square in loved and respected in the commu- trust that those of us who continue to and Frances McNicholas (nee Campbell) McGinty rendered The Parting Glass which makes it all the more difficult to early age and Marty and our beloved the face and as we get ready to say our nity. Old and young gathered for that serve can honour Colm’s legacy in the from Swinford excelled with their sing- after the graveside prayers. process the events surrounding that dark late mother, Dolores, and we, as his sib- final goodbyes to a quality man of sheer walk with the various teams, senior and manner we conduct our duties, in the ing of the hymns and songs, accompanied Colm, who was predeceased by his tragic night of four days ago. lings, can be proud of the way he went class. There must be a place for him at < ONE CLUB underage, women and men flanking the manner we protect and serve this soci- by Richella O’Connor on the organ. Mourners gather at Fr mother Dolores and twin sister Colette, He touched the lives of many in the about his business and has provided the the top table in the great house in the hearse and the following cars, a silent ety and, as Colm did, step forward and Father Dermot Meehan, Diocesan O'Hara Park, home of will be greatly missed by his heartbroken community of Charlestown and beyond. template as to how one should live life sky. Our loss is most definitely heaven’s salute for a man whose voice was gentle be counted at the crucial moment.” Administrator of Achonry, expressed Charlestown Sarsfields, family, father Marty, sister Deirdre, broth- He carried himself with dignity in and and get the most out of each and every gain. and his approach respectful. That gen- Dermot Horkan, overcome with emo- sympathy on behalf of the people and to watch via a big ers Aiden, Brendan, Dermot and Padraig, out of uniform. day. One thing for sure is he leaves a legacy tleness and respect earned the goodwill tion at times, did the commentary on priests of the Diocese of Achonry. Mon- screen the funeral of sisters-in-law, aunts, Kitty (Walsh, Char- He loved Charlestown as this was his of wonderful memories that we will of so many and endeared him to young the symbols brought to the altar by signor John Doherty and Father Joe Detective Garda Colm lestown), Colette (Brennan) and Vera home and moulded many great and last- cherish and hold dear in our hearts for- Horkan, on a field he Respect and old. Tommy Sullivan, Matthew Horkan, Cian Kennedy CP, Garda Chaplain, also con- graced for many (Hora, USA), nieces, nephews, relatives, ing friendships and the outpouring of Colm commanded respect wherever ever as we say goodbye to a giant who “Today we have gathered in the church Casey, Emma Horkan, Mark O’Donoghue, celebrated the Mass. years. Pic: Michael colleagues in An Garda Síochána, neigh- emotion following his passing has pro- he went. Time spent in his company was brought so much joy and happiness to to bring Colm before the Lord with Aidan Horkan and Gráinne Marren. They The Venerable David Pierpoint, Church McLaughlin bours and wide circle of friends. vided the family with great strength and precious and there was always a laugh us all for 49 fantastic and brilliant years support as we get ready to bid farewell and a joke to be had with the disarming, that he was here. May he rest in peace.

2 colm horkan 1970-2020 The Mayo News • Tuesday, June 23, 2020 Tuesday, June 23, 2020 • The Mayo News colm horkan 1970-2020 3 michael A Father’s Day commins like no other [email protected] Dublin supporter Martin Moore from Glasnevin got up in the early hours of Sunday morning and left the city at 6am t’s Wednesday afternoon and Colm A week that shook us to our core with his two Dublin window flags flying Horkan sits with his father Marty and wearing his county jersey. in the family home in Charlestown, “I felt I had to make this trip to Mayo watching the races from Royal to pay my respects to Colm Horkan and Ascot. GAA, soccer and horse rac- to express the condolences of our genu- ingI were three of his sporting pas- ine supporters to the Horkan family and sions. Together they watched the 3pm the people of Mayo at this tragic time,” race before Colm said farewell to his he said. Dad as he headed off for a 12 hour stint On the pristine green field of O’Hara at Castlerea Garda Station. Park on Sunday, Rory O’Brien (Sligo) It was a day like so many others since and Adrian McDermott (Tibohine) erec- Colm joined An Garda Siochána. ted a big screen that relayed in perfect Leaving Charlestown behind and cros- sound and vision the Funeral Mass from sing into Roscommon, Colm arrived on Charlestown Church. A few hundred duty in Castlerea with that beaming smile people sat in the newly installed seats that endeared him to so many people. with a reverence and respect so in tune Some hours later, after the sun went with the overwhelming sadness of the below the western horizon just four days occasion. short of the longest day of the year, this No doubt memories of Colm surging gentle son of Mayo was to yield up his upfield and through opposing defences life right in the very heart of Castlerea. waltzed gently through the minds of He was brutally murdered by a person many as we looked out across the field who, after being stopped and apprehen- which on this day appears to have the ded, dislodged Colm’s hand gun in a nicest one on view of the forty shades scuffle and emptied the 15 rounds from of green. the magazine as the brave garda lay inju- One could not help but notice the name red and dying at the Main Street/St of Michael Byrnes under the scoreboard. Patrick Street (Roscommon road) junc- Michael was a member of the brilliant tion. Charlestown team, along with Colm, that came through the ranks and winning The worst of news numerous county titles along the way. It was Colm’s brother Dermot and his In the mid-1990s, in the Fitzy’s Bar partner Sinéad Higgins, who is a garda (Claremorris) sponsored scoring charts based in Ballaghaderreen, that had to table, two Charlestown lads were in the break the shocking news to his father Top 10 … Michael Byrnes and Colm Hor- Marty. Trying to imagine those moments kan. In June of 1997, Michael was only is beyond words. Colm should have been two days in New York when he died fol- arriving home from duty before 5am. lowing a freak accident in a swimming From early morning relations and neig- pool. The town came to a standstill for hbours began to call to the Horkan family his funeral. home, on what is now known as the Air- Here in O’Hara Park on Sunday, it was port Road on the N17, as the shocking impossible for some of us who had the news breaks locally and then nationally. privilege of seeing the two lads play some All through the day and late into the wonderful games with Charlestown evening a steady stream of callers made Sarsfields not to feel the overwhelming their way to the family home. emotion associated with the memories Over in Castlerea, the shockwaves hit of these two special names from that the town. If ever there was a town that golden team here on their field of did not deserve to have such tragedy dreams. visited on it again, it was Castlerea. Msgr Tommy Johnston, Charlestown, Just four weeks ago here in The Mayo night and administering the Last Rites When we got to Ballaghaderreen, we Garda John McCallion (48) took ill and y final journey is in mourning for the passing of their lad he was. And to think that could hap- Station. told the congregation and the thousands News, I dedicated a full page to the peo- and about being joined in prayer by the went straight to the Garda Station at the died suddenly while out cycling on May Colleagues of Detective Garda most loyal of friends, Colm Horkan. pen to him above in Castlerea on a Wed- Several floral bouquets were left out- listening to the broadcast on Midwest ple of this town under the banner head- members of An Garda Siochána. top of the town. There was quite a com- 24, last year, 2019. John, like his brother Colm Horkan carry his coffin to nesday night. It is terrible.” side the Garda Station, the same station Radio and watching on the RTÉ Now line ‘Castlerea is a town with its own On Thursday evening as the rain shed motion outside the station and I got out Robert, who lost his life while on garda his final resting place. A father’s lament Annmarie Kivlehan (nee Walsh), a from where Detective Garda John Mor- channel, that: “Colm Horkan was a good gentle pace’. tears on Castlerea, a few hundred people and asked a guard if John Morley was duty in Letterkenny ten years earlier, A few hundred yards up the road, the niece of the late Dolores Horkan and her ley and Garda Henry Byrne, departed man, one of nature’s gentlemen, that and It was based on my friendship with so gathered at The Hub and later on the around – he was the best contact we had was another exemplary member of An Horkan family are welcoming callers daughter Gráinne are among those for duty on that fateful day back in July, more.” many from Castlerea for four decades street for a prayer service and vigil and in the town. Garda Siochána. and also being comforted by them. Marty assisting the family and ensuring that 1980. He referred to the man ‘whose voice and the welcome of its people. to pay their respects to a noble son of John Morley, along with Joe Corcoran, The heavens opened as if shedding sits with a few relations and neighbours everyone is ‘looked after’ during their There were so many poignant and was gentle and his approach respect- What happened at the junction of Main Mayo who drew his last breath in a town were childhood Mayo football heroes of tears of sorrow as I approached Char- in the dining room. RTÉ One is on the visit. Among the close friends passing touching moments over the last few days. ful. That gentleness and respect earned Street and Patrick Street last Wednesday whose people would have teamed the mine and many others in those times. lestown and briefly stopped outside the television and it is a few minutes before through were Kevin McCudden, Michael Half finished sentences giving way to the goodwill of so many and endeared night in the heart of the town also struck ocean to save him if they could. The news relayed to Anthony and I about GAA field where Colm Horkan spent the Nine O’Clock news. Doherty, Declan Casey, Stephen Healy, lonesome tears, club and county flags Colm to young and old’. at the very heart of its people. Colm the tragic shooting of John Morley and some of the best days of his life. Spread I first got to know Marty and his late Declan Divilly and David Tiernan. fluttering in the breezes not only in Mayo Just four weeks ago when the Wicklow Horkan’s life was taken in a manner more History repeating his fellow parishioner from Knock, Henry out across the top of the netting behind wife Dolores during the famous Western but around the western province and singer Hozier performed The Parting associated with Western movies than Forty years ago, I started my career Byrne, a few miles out the road at the goalposts was a large contingent of Rose Festivals in Charlestown in the Show of respect around the island of Ireland, guards of Glass on The Late Show Show, Colm western towns like Castlerea. in newspapers with The Western Journal Shannon’s Cross near Loughglynn, was swallows, resting easy as if forming their 1980s. They were huge occasions for the On Friday evening we head over to Cas- honour hosted by a number of clubs, and was in the company of a few friends in Those of us who knew Colm were gut- in Ballina. One of its co-founders, along shattering and would become a moment own guard of honour on an evening when town and among those who hosted them tlerea to see the spot where the tragedy the overwhelming emotion of people in Charlestown and casually reflected that ted as the circumstances of the tragedy with Jim Maguire from Ballina, was the frozen in time. the silence of Charlestown echoed the were Pat Kenny and Mike Murphy from unfolded on Wednesday. A wooden cross Charlestown holding candles on Friday he would love someone to sing that began to unfold. How could you forget legendary John Healy from Charlestown. John Healy returned from Dublin for lonesomeness in the hearts of the RTÉ. marked the place where Colm fell, his night when the hearse carrying his cof- song at his funeral. that big broad beaming smile from the John was a giant of the newspaper indus- a few days and he played a central role nation. We hug each other as tears flow down photograph attached, and a rosary beads fin arrived back in town. No one expected it would be so soon man who wore his uniform with such try. in our coverage of that momentous occa- Four decades on from that day in the and words just won’t come. Eventually placed with love around the cross. It stopped at O’Hara Park as night but Ballina native, Garda Alan McGinty, honesty and who delighted us so many Shortly after noon on Monday, July 7, sion. He rolled up the sleeves at the Western Journal, there was only one the silence and emotion gives way and In The Square, I spoke to Jimmy Doherty spread its blanket over the town and who earlier had sung so magnificently times on the football fields of Mayo? 1980, a phone call was received at the type-writer and encouraged us to get to place I knew I had to call to and that was conversation starts to flow. He speaks from the garage whose father Dan died hundreds lined the street and others at the Funeral Mass, brought tears to the Colm had a great friendship with so Western Journal office in GardenS treet, the heart of the tragedy, the grief of the to the Healy family home. Gerry Healy of the last hours together, watching the in April 2018. Jimmy carries the spirit of walked behind the hearse as it made its eyes and touched the hearts of all pre- many people in Roscommon as so much Ballina, alerting us to a raid on the Bank community in Knock, and touch base is a brother of the late John and our fri- races from Royal Ascot, showing me the his dad and you know Castlerea is in way to The Square and out to the Horkan sent when he performed The Parting of his Garda career was based in the of Ireland in Ballaghaderreen. Anthony with a story from the rural heartlands endship goes back all those years. The spot where both of them had watched good hands with ambassadors like Jimmy family home. Glass at the graveside. county. The absolute shock and disgust Hickey and I were despatched to Bal- of the west that cascaded all over the photo of John adorns the wall inside the the races in the room the previous day. to carry the flame. He spoke of the shock Several hundred people paid their Colm Horkan truly was, as his great at what happened in Castlerea is palpa- laghaderreen to pick up details on the island of Ireland. door. The news comes on and a photo of Colm felt by all and of the respect in which respects at the Horkan Funeral Home friend Stephen Healy, said ‘a top class ble in the town and around the coun- raid for a story that would appear in the On the way to Charlestown on Thurs- There is no need to knock on the door dominates that same screen this eve- Colm and his colleagues were held in on Saturday afternoon and evening, many man’. try. Journal which came out on Tuesday, a day evening, I took the alternative route of the home of Gerry and Emmanuelle ning. the town. making long journeys to express their “He was a diamond. He was one of our Fr John McManus, PP, spoke about day ahead of the Western People in those through Kiltimagh and on towards Swin- Healy. Their sons Stephen and Donal The words of heartache drop softly There was a steady stream signing the support for the family and to honour own and he was one of the best. We will being called to the scene on Wednesday times. ford, passing by the very spot where are here on this evening and the family from a broken-hearted father. “A great book of condolences at Castlerea Garda Colm and the good he did in life. never forget Colm in Charlestown.”

4 colm horkan 1970-2020 The Mayo News • Tuesday, June 23, 2020 Tuesday, June 23, 2020 • The Mayo News colm horkan 1970-2020 5 Community connectedness and bear hugs

shmoke for his big birthday cel- a big hug. It was just the calm- After months of coronavirus down.” The jersey Brendan first steps were taken by the Reflections ebration. ing comfort I needed. confinement we were all begin- referred to was the one Colm fledgling IrishS tate towards the Áine Ryan “Ring the guards, Áine. Ring ning to think that the only chal- had donned for his home club, formation of a Civic Guard, the guards,” he repeated when ‘The Bear’ lenge to our health and safety Charlestown Sarsfields. subsequently named An Garda we failed to stop the water from IN recent days when I think of was this virulent pandemic. Our For all of us at a remove from Síochána. Speaking in 1923, cascading down the walls as the late Detective Garda Colm image of rural gardaí was one the immeasurable grief and Commissioner Eoin O’Duffy always think of this rather fractured ceilings hung limply Horkan and the fact that he was of community care: checking in shock being experienced by this asked his members not to let dramatic episode from my from their rafters. affectionately known among his on vulnerable and isolated peo- family and tightly-knit commu- down the force or the public ‘by past as a scene from a wild Honestly, I thought it was a GAA colleagues as ‘The Bear’, ple, delivering the shopping, nity – both civilians and gardaí abandonment of your post at west movie. You know, daft idea but since there were I imagine – like that now retired standing in driveways for a chat. – it is more than clear that Colm the behest of any armed cow- when the good guy comes no plumbers answering their garda from the Westport District Not for a moment did we envis- never let the uniform down ard’. intoI town and sorts out stuff. In phones, I did. – he would have been a great age the possibility of a crazed, either. By all accounts he was a These sentiments were never my case it was a a decade ago, Within 15 minutes or so a garda hugger too. senseless killing on the street consummate community garda, more apt as our contemporary the pipes had all burst in my car crept over the ice-slippy Doesn’t his warmth light up of a small town in Co Roscom- whose diligence and respect for commissioner, Drew Harris told house after the big freeze of brow of the hill and out stepped the picture of him that suddenly mon. his shield and those he served his funeral Mass how Det Garda Christmas 2010 and I was, to a member of An Garda Síochána. appeared over all media outlets Just four days after Colm Hor- underpinned an easy sense of Horkan had ‘epitomised what put it mildly, hysterical after Fortunately, in the interim we last Thursday morning after his kan’s violent death, during a integrity and personal princi- all of us as members of An Garda returning home from a holiday. had found the stopcock and violent and senseless death on most heartfelt and heartbreak- ples. Síochána should strive to be’. It didn’t help that my late father averted the further collapse of a quiet street in Castlerea? ing eulogy at his Funeral Mass “His policing service was char- was on my doorstep having ceilings. So there was nothing No wonder we are all still in his brother Brendan poignantly Exemplary service acterised by his hard work and arrived down from the big for the guard to do but give me shock. said: “He never let the jersey IT is almost a century since the his diligence,” Mr Harris said.

y SHOULDER TO SHOULDER Garda colleagues of Detective Garda Colm Horkan carry his coffin into St James’s Church, Charlestown. Pic: Michael McLaughlin Colm Horkan was one of us

evenings before; never once thinking it would something bad or dangerous that may ultimately Reflections end how it did, but always knowing it might. never happen – requires a fortitude that is as Colin Sheridan Because, that’s the thing; once you wear the unglamorous as it is necessary. uniform there is always a danger, however remote, There is a lot of hurrying up. Then, dramati- whether you are a guard on the beat, a soldier cally, there is a lot of waiting. in a foreign field, or a crewman on a search and But, crucially, whether you are keeping the IN times of great tragedy, our collective vision rescue mission. You train for the worst, and most peace in Mali as a soldier or in Mayo Abbey as gets understandably blurred. Paradoxically – of us – the lucky many – will live a lifetime with- a garda, there is room to be yourself. This is the cruelly – the same grief that partially blinds us out ever testing that training. most fulfilling part, and though not included in simultaneously heightens every other sense. We Every GAA dressing room in the country must Colm must have any syllabus of training – is as important as any hear things we do not usually hear; we react to have at least two Gardaí in it. And, like the sol- lecture on Use of Force. things that, at another time, would not lay a glove dier and the crewman, the Garda is not immune gone to work last If applied, it ensures there is no ’them and us’. on us. Whatever impostor it is that asphyxiates from the quips of his teammates, who will no It humanizes conflict and deescalates tensions. us, we are prisoner to it, until, by the grace of doubt chide him or her from time to time about “Wednesday It has its origins in the club dressing rooms and God, we somehow learn to live with it. how ‘soft he has it!’ the training fields – the places we are perenni- The tragic news of Colm Horkan’s death last Those wisecracks, that banter, is the very oil evening like a ally reminded not to take ourselves too seri- week in Castlerea arrived under the cover of the that lubricates the engine of clubs. It is the great ously. most insidious darkness, and in doing so denied leveler – the subtle reminder that, regardless of thousand It may not be a uniquely Irish thing, but we are y STANDING TOGETHER Charlestown Sarsfields clubmates of Detective Garda Colm Horkan bow their heads at his graveside in St James’s Church on Sunday. Pic: Mark Condren a multitude of communities its shared breath; rank or stature, we are all the same. Taking it lucky to serve a flag that allows us to nurture his family, his countless friends, his town, his gracefully, even dishing a little back, is part of evenings before; this characteristic instead of stymie it. I did not GAA club, his Garda colleagues. the necessary ebb and flow of life. know Colm Horkan well, but am certain from Listing them now seems somehow futile and The trainee guard home from Templemore will never once those who did that he had this quality in buck- irrelevant because, in our mutual grief, there is get roasted for his haircut, just as the young etloads. Colm Horkan, An Appreciation no difference between one group and the next. Corporal home from the hills of South Lebanon thinking it would Sometimes, when colleagues fall, I think of the Just as there was no difference between Colm will get lambasted for his suspiciously even tan Leonard Cohen lyric ‘and though I wear the uni- Sadness and sorrow and tears fall like rain, Twenty four years of service he gave at his death, The most gallant of Gardaí, that most decent soul; and the rest of us. He was a detective, a team- – this is a rite of passage. But, always – sometimes end how it did, form I was not born to fight’. I am not sure Our little home town will never reclaim A shining light quenched as he drew his last breath; Never again his old beat will patrol; mate, a brother, an uncle, a son. much later over a pint – the question will come, why. The convivial humour and eternal smile, His comrades prayed with him, the priest gave him last rites, There’s grief in the ether as to home he is borne, We need labels sometimes to make sense of delivered with a curiosity so genuine it can be but always But, maybe thinking about it now in the context The man who would stop and chat for a while. While the citizens slept through this terrible night. As friends and relations, heartbroken will mourn. things, others, they are just noise. The only label unnerving, as if the inquisitor doesn’t want the of Colm’s death, and the legacy he has left in the that unites everybody in the trauma of his pass- others to know he’s asking it: “what’s it really knowing it might myriad of communities he so obviously enhanced, Always wanting to help, to coach or to play, He lived by his oath to protect and to serve, You’ll never walk alone, as a Liverpool fan, ing is that, put simply, he was one of us. like?” it is somehow fitting. He was many things, detec- First man on the list for a big trip away; From the highest of standards he never would swerve; You won’t be forgotten, as a proud Sarsfields man; Like so many, I watched the live pictures of tive, brother, uncle, son, team-mate, colleague. Be it soccer, or horses; darts in Walsh’s Bar, A fine decent man taken still in his prime, Sleep well a chara, for your service is done, Colm’s funeral. Unglamorous fortitude Most crucially, forever, he is one of us. Or off to watch Mayo in dear Castlebar. And no rhyme nor reason for this most heinous crime. Rest easy friend, uncle, sweet brother, dear son. I heard the Last Post and took pause. I thought What it is really like is hard to articulate. It is of how - although cliché - Colm must have gone often lonely. It is sometimes boring. Training for Comdt Colin Sheridan from Balla is serving with Ciarán Farrell to work last Wednesday evening like a thousand a job – the central tenet of which is reacting to the Irish Army in Lebanon.

6 colm horkan 1970-2020 The Mayo News • Tuesday, June 23, 2020 Tuesday, June 23, 2020 • The Mayo News colm horkan 1970-2020 7 Garda Henry Gerard Byrne, Garda Anthony Golden, Garda Walter James Hennelly, Detective Garda Colm Horkan, Detective Garda Richard Knock 1951-1980 Ballina 1979-2015 Breaffy 1951-1974 Charlestown 1970-2020 Hyland, Manulla 1903-1940 Making the ultimate sacrifice

Road in Dundalk when he was garda car, killing both gardaí. Ten Mayo natives have lost knocked down by a passing A former Mayo underage foot- their lives in the line of duty vehicle and died from his inju- baller, Garda Robert McCallion ries. from Swinford was stationed in with An Garda Siochána Walter Hennelly, from Greeve, Letterkenny. On March 26, 2009 Breaffy, Castlebar joined An he and two other colleagues Garda Siochána on February 23, responded to a call at Tara Court 1972. On May 13, 1974 he was on in the town. While dealing with ford and Garda Michael John checkpoint duty at Mulgrave the situation, a car approached Edwin Padden from Belmullet. Street, Limerick when he was at speed, hitting Garda McCal- mcgreal All died well before their time, struck by a passing car and died lion and he died from his injuries [email protected] whilst serving the State, serving from his injuries. on April 7, 2009. His brother all of us. Detective Garda John Morley, John, a serving garda, also died Born in Manulla in 1903, Rich- who came from Faughill, Kilti- suddenly, in 2019, when he took The family of Detective Garda ard Hyland grew up in Kildare. magh and Garda Henry Byrne, ill whilst out for a cycle near Colm Horkan were the tenth He joined An Garda Siochána from nearby Knock, were both Swinford. Mayo family to have had to bury in 1933. In 1940, a group of detec- on duty in Castlerea, like Detec- Garda Tony Golden, from one of their own who died in tives from Dublin Castle carried tive Garda Colm Horkan. Ballina, was on duty in Omeath the line of duty for An Garda out a search in Rathgar Road, On July 7, 1980, the Bank of Garda Station, Co Louth on Siochána. Dublin. After gaining entry, the Ireland in Ballaghaderreen was October 11, 2015 when he In total, 89 gardaí have been gardaí were hit by a burst of robbed by two armed and attended, in uniform and killed in service since the for- gunfire from behind a partition masked men. Having made their unarmed, with a female who mation of the State and Mayo wall. Detective Hyland was killed escape, three raiders were inter- had just made a formal complaint has been burdened with more instantly while Detective Ser- cepted by gardaí at Shannon’s of assault against her partner. than its fair share of such geant Patrick McKeown died Cross, near Loughglynn, Co When Garda Golden arrived to losses. from his wounded the next Roscommon. The raiders opened the house to respond to the In fact no county has lost more day. fired at the patrol car, killing complaint, he was fatally gardaí in the line of duty. Dublin Garda Michael Walsh from Garda Byrne. Having pursued wounded by the woman’s part- has the same number with Cork Barnfield, Ballina was killed on the raiders, Detective Garda ner, Adrian Crevan Mackin who and Galway both having lost October 1, 1942. He was one of Morley was shot dead a short then shot his girlfriend four eight of their countymen. a group of gardaí who went to distance away. times. She survived. Mackin For such a relatively small a house in Kilnaleck, Cavan to From Shanahee, Belmullet, then turned the gun on himself, county population wise, it is an arrest a known criminal suspect. Garda Michael John Padden was taking his own life. incredible tally. As the gardaí approached, the on duty on April 14, 2002. Gardaí Detective Garda Colm Horkan The county has been particu- suspect fired at them, fatally were notified of a car leaving was born in Charlestown in 1970 larly hard hit since the turn of wounding Detective Garda the scene of a suspected bur- and joined An Garda Siochána the millennium. Four of the last Walsh. glary in Dalkey, Dublin. Garda 23 years ago. He was working ten gardaí killed in the line of John Martin Lally was from Padden and Garda Tony Tighe in Castlerea on the night of June duty were from Mayo – Detec- American Street in Belmullet took up a stationary position at 17 last when he was fatally shot tive Garda Colm Horkan, Garda and joined An Garda Siochána a nearby junction in a bid to and killed. A 43-year-old man, Tony Golden from Ballina, Garda in 1971. On May 5, 1973 he was intercept the vehicle but the car Stephen Silver, has been charged Robbie McCallion from Swin- on checkpoint duty at Ardee in question collided with the with his murder.

Garda John Martin Lally, Garda Robert McCallion, Detective Garda John F Morley, Garda Michael John Padden, Detective Garda Michael Walsh, Belmullet 1951-1973 Swinford 1979-2009 Kiltimagh 1942-1980 Belmullet 1974-2002 Ballina 1901-1942

8 colm horkan 1970-2020 The Mayo News • Tuesday, June 23, 2020