Castleisland Joins in Nationwide Tribute in Respect and Silence

Castleisland PP Fr. Mossie Brick delivering his tribute to local members of An Garda Síochána and their fallen colleague Detective Garda Colm Horkan after mid-day today at Castleisland Garda Station. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Links run deep: Local woman, Cecily O’Connor pictured at Castleisland Garda Station beside a photograph from 1951 which includes her grandfather and Co Kildare native, Garda Mick Behan. Ms. O’Connor was attending the tribute to the late Detective Garda Colm Horkan. ©Photograph: john Reidy

Flying at half mast but flying. Colleagues of the fallen Detective Garda Colm Horkan paying their tributes at Castleisland Garda Station. ©Photograph: John Reidy

While the state funeral of Detective Garda Colm Horkan was being held from mid-day today in St James’ Church in Charlestown, Co Mayo his Garda colleagues around the country stood in respect and silence.

In Castleisland, present and retired members of the force were joined – at a distance – by local people and elected representatives including: Cllr. Bobby O’Connell, Cllr. Charlie Farrelly and Cllr. Fionnán Fitzgerald.

Detective Garda Horkan’s Epitaph

Detective Garda Colm Horkan’s epitaph from his own people stands as a powerful testimony to how he advised, protected and served them in the course of the life he gave in the line of duty.

Castleisland’s tribute was probably the longest in Ireland as the ‘Guard’ of honour had to wait in place for local PP Fr. Mossie Brick to finish mass at the nearby parish church. It was, after all, the longest day of the year.

Passing On Condolences

When he arrived Fr. Brick passed on his condolences to the line of Garda Horkan’s colleagues spread in a line across the length of the Garda station on the town’s Tralee Road.

He also used the occasion to express his admiration and thanks to the members of the force for the work they do and what they have done in the extremely tough times we are all going through.

Poetry – The Ultimate Democracy

Fr. Brick then recited a few lines of a Brendan Kennelly poem.

After all, and fittingly, didn’t the Ballylongford born Kennelly say that poetry is the ultimate democracy.

And the men and women who stood out before Fr. Brick today, in solidarity with their fallen colleague, are the ultimate upholders of democracy in their often dangerous lines of duty.