The tragic and untimely death of Detective Colm Horkan united communities in grief as members of the public paid their respects in unison to the fallen Garda.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser this week, Superintendent Aidan Minnock, reflected upon the life of Detective Horkan noting his Garda presence will be sorely missed in the times to come.
“Firstly, I would like to commend and thank the media who have done an excellent job in the commemoration of the death of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. As you are aware Colm is from Charlestown, Co Mayo and died tragically on the 18th June 2020 doing a job that he loved. Colm will be sorely missed by his family, friends, colleagues in An Garda Síochána and right across the community he served, with honour and utmost professionalism.
“The Gardaí and staff in Athlone District, including the Garda Stations of Moate, Kilbeggan, Ballymore and Glasson joined our colleagues from around the Organisation in a minute silence at 12md on Sunday 21st June to mark the lost a colleague and a friend. Some of the members from Athlone District worked with Colm in different Garda Stations over the years and have relayed their stories and fond memories of their time with Colm. We will miss Colm and he will remain in our thoughts and prayers as we continue to serve the community of Athlone in the months and years ahead.
“We would like to thank the wider community for their support and best wishes during this difficult time, with many members of the community, other emergency services and retired Garda members joining us on Sunday at both Athlone and Kilbeggan Stations to share a moment of solidarity. While the public support did not surprise us, it gave us a great boost at this difficult time and demonstrates the support of the wider community to the Horkan family and Gardaí during this difficult time,” Superintendent Minnock remarked.
