Family of murdered garda seeks inquiry into issued gun holster

Detective Garda Colm Horkan's brother Dermot has publicly demanded an inquiry into the issuing of allegedly defective handgun holsters by An Garda Síochána following his brother's murder in 2020. The holsters, provided to Garda members, have been questioned for their safety and security, with concerns raised since the detective's death.

Dermot, speaking for the first time about his family's concerns, questioned the procurement and replacement procedures for the holsters. He emphasized that the family had previously written to the Minister for Justice but received only acknowledgments with no substantive responses. The family also referenced a protected disclosure made about the holsters, and the handling of such complaints.

Independent Senator Michael McDowell has called for an independent investigation into the handling of protected disclosures within An Garda Síochána, but Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has rejected such calls. Dermot Horkan expressed his family's hope for an independent public inquiry to ensure the truth is known and to protect future Garda members.