Taoiseach not convinced public inquiry is best way forward in Colm Horkan murder case
Mayo TD Paul Lawless expresses disappointment after raising Horkan family’s request in the Dáil
The Taoiseach has said he is “not convinced” that a public inquiry is the best way to provide answers to the family of murdered Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
The comments came in the Dáil today (Tuesday, October 20), in response to a question from Mayo TD Paul Lawless, who asked whether the Taoiseach would support the family’s call for a full, independent public inquiry into the 2020 murder.
Deputy Lawless told the Dáil that the killing had shocked the country and brought back painful memories in Mayo of the murders of Gardaí John Morley and Henry Byrne.
He said the Horkan family had called for an inquiry in recent days, including an examination of the role the gun holster may have played in the circumstances surrounding the murder.
Deputy Lawless said he had spoken to the family, who believed they had been ignored by various State bodies.
The Aontú TD also referred to reporting in the Irish Examiner concerning alleged problems with holsters that An Garda Síochána had been aware of before Detective Garda Horkan was killed and Edward Connell was shot.
“Taoiseach, do you support the family’s calls for a full independent public inquiry?” Deputy Lawless asked.
In response, the Taoiseach said the matter had been referred to Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, but that his understanding was that it was not being actively engaged with.
He said the Government was not convinced a public inquiry was necessarily the best way to provide transparency, information and facts to them.
“The minister is anxious to be as responsible as possible to the Horkan family but we're not convinced that a public inquiry is necessarily the way to provide transparency, information and facts to the family,” the Taoiseach said.
Deputy Lawless said he was extremely disappointed with the Taoiseach’s response.
The family’s call centres on securing further answers about the circumstances of Detective Garda Horkan’s death and the possible role of the equipment used by gardaí.