Garda murder accused was 'looking crazy' after fatal shooting, witness tells court

Witnesses heard bangs as Detective Garda Colm Horkan was shot and 'thought they were fireworks'

Stephen Silver has has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan but has pleaded to manslaughter. Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins 

A motorbike mechanic accused of the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan was “looking crazy” after the garda was shot dead, a witness has told the Central Criminal Court.

The jury in the trial of Stephen Silver, 46, of Aughavard, Foxford, Co Mayo, also heard on Monday that the gunshots sounded like “fireworks” on the night Garda Horkan was shot 11 times with his own gun in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, on June 17, 2020.