New jury panel needed for Garda Colm Horkan murder trial

A jury has been discharged in the trial of Stephen Silver at the Central Criminal Court following difficulty raised by one juror. Mr Silver, aged 46, a motorbike mechanic from Aughavard in Foxford, Co Mayo, faces a charge of murdering Garda Colm Horkan, aged 49, at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on 17 June 2020. He has pleaded not guilty to capital murder and guilty to manslaughter. The original jury of twelve was sworn in on Monday and the prosecution opened its case on Tuesday. However, when proceedings resumed on Wednesday morning, a juror indicated an inability to continue serving. Justice Tara Burns determined it inappropriate to proceed with eleven jurors and discharged the entire panel. Both prosecution and defence agreed this course was preferable. A fresh jury panel was expected to be sworn in later that day to commence the trial afresh.