'Unsafe' to convict garda murder accused, defence tell jury

At the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel for Stephen Silver argued it would be unsafe to convict him of the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan, citing evidence of mental disorder at the time of the shooting. Mr Silver, aged 46, from Aughaward near Foxford in County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility for the fatal shooting at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Defence barrister Roisin Lacey SC asked the jury to consider psychiatric evidence that Mr Silver was experiencing a relapse of bipolar affective disorder which substantially diminished his culpability. She referenced observations from gardaí interviews, recorded on the day following the incident, which documented deteriorating mental state including delusional beliefs and bizarre behaviour. Ms Lacey also highlighted inconsistencies in the prosecution's evidence regarding the deceased garda's formal status. The trial continues with the judge's charge to the jury expected the following day.