Mick Clifford: Warnings unheeded, lives lost — the holster scandal gardaí can’t ignore

A defective holster, raised in protected disclosures, was linked to Colm Horkan’s murder. Why were expert warnings ignored?

The murder of Det Garda Horkan, in an incident where his attacker got access to his firearm, raised further concerns in sections of An Garda Síochána. 

The shooting accident occurred on June 11, 2020. The detective involved was from the special detective unit. He had been assigned to the Israeli ambassador’s residence on routine protective work.

At around 4.30pm, his gun was accidentally discharged. He suffered injuries to his lower body that were significant but not life-threatening.