'With all that's going on with police in the world, I shot him...

Court hears what Silver told officers at scene. He denies garda's murder but admits killing

- ALISON O'RIORDAN

A MAN accused of murdering a Garda claimed the officer tried to attack him, the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.

A prosecutor said Stephen Silver, 46, told gardai: "With all that's going on with police in this world, I shot him." Opening the trial, State counsel James Dwyer said the accused man then mentioned Black Lives Matter.

He added an issue the jury may have to consider is if the defendant was "ill-disposed to gardai" and if that "manifested itself in his behaviour when he killed" Gda Horkan.

Silver denies the capital murder of 49-year-old Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, Co Roscommon, in June 2020. But the accused, from Foxford, Co Mayo, admits manslaughter.

On Monday, the jury heard the defence will raise the issues of bipolar disorder and the accused having diminished responsibility due to mental health difficulties.

Opening the prosecution's case, Mr Dwyer said the State takes a view on the evidence that Silver is guilty.

ARMED The barrister said Gda Horkan had started duty at 2pm, was armed and was driving an unmarked Hyundai patrol car.

Counsel added the court will hear that as Silver and his friend James Coyne arrived into the centre of Castlerea, Gda Horkan pulled up beside them.

Some form of exchange took place between the defendant and Gda Horkan with the officer getting out of the car and approaching the accused.