Garda Colm Horkan murder trial hears accused claimed gun 'kept going off' during struggle

Garda Enda Rowley described the accuse, Stephen Silver, as agitated and “somewhat non-compliant”.

Stephen Silver (pictured) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Det. Gda Horkan, but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Photo: Michael McCormack/PA

An eyewitness has told the Detective Garda Colm Horkan murder trial that he heard the "shooter" say: "If I didn't kill him, he would have killed me."

The Central Criminal Court also heard on Thursday that the accused man, Stephen Silver, told gardaí that the detective's gun “kept going off” as they grappled over it.