DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 24 Meitheamh 2020 Wednesday, 24 June 2020 Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 9.30 a.m. Paidir. Prayer. 24/06/2020A00050Gnó na Dála - Business of Dáil 24/06/2020A00075An Ceann Comhairle: In light of last week’s tragic, untimely and unexpected death of De- tective Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea, it is considered appropriate that, with the agreement of the House, we would hear expressions of sympathy today. Is that agreed? Agreed. I ask Members to confine their remarks to three minutes. 24/06/2020A00100Death of Garda Colm Horkan: Expressions of Sympathy 24/06/2020A00300Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): There has been a national outpouring of both shock and grief in the days since the terrible loss of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who gave his life serving the State and protecting the community. We have come to learn of the man so beloved of his family, his community and his Garda colleagues. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I convey again my deepest condolences to Colm’s father, Marty, his sister and fellow public servant, Deirdre, his brothers, Aiden, Brendan, Dermot, and Padraig, his wider family and friends, and all the women and men of An Garda Síochána who are heart- broken by his loss. Detective Garda Horkan served with distinction for 24 years as a Garda member. He was a proud Mayo man. He was a talented stalwart of his local GAA club, Charlestown Sarsfields, since his earliest days playing there as a young boy. We have all heard his colleagues and friends describe him as a man of the highest integrity, a peacemaker, and a rock of sense and discretion who loved his job as a member of An Garda Síochána. Throughout his exemplary service, he embodied that grassroots ethos shared by the GAA and the Garda, namely, commit- ment to family, community and country. As the Garda Commissioner said this week, Detective Garda Horkan epitomised what all Garda members should strive to be. The death of Detective Garda Horkan is an all too painful reminder of the personal risks that Garda members take while working to keep us safe. The women and men of An Garda 111 Dáil Éireann Síochána, in their everyday duty, put the welfare of others ahead of themselves as they work to shield us from harm and connect our communities. While grounded in our communities, they courageously take on the burden of standing between us and danger. It is to them that we turn in times of crisis, including during the current pandemic. Each of the 89 men on the Garda Roll of Honour died in the service of the State and for the people of Ireland. That is a debt that we can never fully repay but it is one that we will always remember. When Colm Horkan passed out of Templemore in September 1995, his classmates included Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was murdered while on duty in January 2013. Also passing out that day were Garda Eoin Fitzgerald and Garda Ambrose Fogarty, killed while on duty in separate road traffic accidents in 1998 and 1999. I know Colm’s death has reignited painful memories for the tight-knit community of Castlerea of the killing of Detective Garda John Morley and Garda Henry Byrne just miles away in Ballaghaderreen 40 years ago. We remember them all too today as we reflect on Colm’s tragic loss. I know these statements cannot ease the pain that the Horkan family feel for their fallen son, brother, cousin and uncle, but I hope they can take some comfort in the obvious respect and admiration for Colm Horkan that we saw in Charlestown on Sunday. Detective Garda Colm Horkan lost his life doing a job that he loved as he was protecting and serving the community he loved. He represented the very best of An Garda Síochána and the best of us. We grieve for him and we will remember his brave life which ended far too soon. May he rest in peace. 24/06/2020A00400Deputy Jim O’Callaghan: Ar mo shon féin agus ar son Fhianna Fáil déanaim comhbhrón le clann an Gharda Colm Horkan, a fuair bás an tseachtain seo caite nuair a bhí sé ag freastal ar an bpobal. Aithnímid sa Teach seo an tseirbhís a chuireann comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána ar fáil gach lá agus na priacail mhóra a bhíonn ann agus iad ag obair ar son an phobail agus ar son na tíre. Ní dhéanfar dearmad ar íobairt mhór an Gharda Colm Horkan agus táim ag smao- ineamh ag an am seo ar a mhuintir, a chairde agus a chomhghleacaithe sa Gharda Síochána. On my own behalf and on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party, I express deepest sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Detective Garda Colm Horkan. Detective Garda Horkan gave his life defending our community as a member of An Garda Sío- chána. At a time when most people were sleeping safely in their beds, Detective Garda Horkan was out doing his job as a member of An Garda Síochána. It is very important that we remind ourselves that the job of a garda can be a very dangerous one and that is apparent from the tragic and brutal killing of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. We can gain some courage and strength, however, from the fact that there is a fantastic relationship in this country between An Garda Síochána and members of the public. That was apparent when we saw the outpouring of grief around the country in the aftermath of Colm’s death. That relationship distinguishes An Garda Síochána from police forces in other countries where they are regarded as law enforcement agencies. That is not the situation with An Garda Síochána. It is not viewed in this country as a law enforcement agency. Instead, it is viewed as a community police force providing community policing. That should be the testament and strong message that comes out of the grief we have all experienced in the aftermath of the death of Colm Horkan. I did not know Colm Horkan, but I had the privilege of being at the Phoenix Park last Sun- day for the funeral service relayed from Charlestown to the assembled gathering in the Phoenix Park. I emphasise again the strong sense of family among the members of An Garda Síochána 112 24 June 2020 who were grieving for the loss of their colleague. We can, however, gain comfort from the fact that Detective Garda Horkan’s life was one that was very well lived. Although I did not meet him, from what people who knew him say, he was a fantastic person who served his country, community and police force well. 24/06/2020B00200Deputy Martin Kenny: The news of the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan last Wednesday evening was met with shock, anger and sadness, not just in Roscommon but every- where in Ireland. He was a highly respected officer and highly regarded member of the com- munity. I did not know Detective Garda Horkan, but the outpouring of grief from those who did tells its own story. He was a decent man who was taken all too soon from those who loved him in the most dreadful of ways. Colm Horkan was a dedicated member of An Garda Síochána. He has been praised for his extraordinary work in making Ireland a safer place for everyone in the community. Before joining An Garda Síochána, Colm was a firefighter here in Dublin. His colleagues in Dublin Fire Brigade remember him as a tireless and committed member of the team. It strikes me that Colm Horkan devoted his adult life to the service of others. We have all listened to the words of people who knew him well and they paint a picture of a man who loved life and genuinely cared for people. The people of the area of Roscommon who had him as their garda looking after them felt very privileged to have a man of his calibre looking after them in such a way. Detective Garda Horkan was a person who would walk the hard road with you and someone who would stand in your corner. He was a dedicated supporter of the GAA and was devoted to his beloved Mayo team and local club. He was an avid and passionate supporter of Liverpool Football Club as well, and a person who loved music, concerts and a good laugh. These are only glimpses of Garda Horkan, snippets of his life which was tragically cut too short. His murder is a sorrowful reminder of the stark reality that members of An Garda Sío- chána go out to work every day knowing they will often meet danger and harm. Those who face these risks to protect the lives of others in the community do so in a very brave way. We should be very grateful to those, like Detective Garda Horkan, who do their jobs and do them well. Through the shock, sadness and outrage at this murder, one which has rightfully consumed the emotions of the nation, we cannot lose sight of the plain and simple humanity of the loss of a fine young man. A father has lost a cherished son and it was poignant that, on Father’s Day, a father buried his son. I understand that Colm’s sister was lost a couple of years ago; that family has met with great tragedy. All of the people of the area understand that the Horkan family has been a part of the com- munity in Charlestown for many years.