New GAA pitch named after Garda Colm Horkan opened in Co Mayo

A GAA pitch named after Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who was killed in the line of duty, has been opened by the Taoiseach.

Simon Harris said it was an honour to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new pitch and community walkways at Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club in Co Mayo.

Det Garda Horkan, 49, who was originally from Charlestown and was an active member of the Sarsfields club, was murdered while on duty in Castlerea, Co Roscommon in June 2020.

Mr Harris described the event as a day of community celebration and pride and also a day of grief at the loss of Det Garda Horkan.

“I’m very conscious that the celebration and the pride that is felt today is also accompanied by a sense of profound grief as we all come here today to remember and to proudly commemorate Detective Garda Colm Horkan who tragically lost his life in the line of duty,” the Taoiseach told the event.

Det Garda Horkan’s father Marty said his son would be very happy to see the pitch.

“I’d say he really would love to see it, if he could lift his head,” he told RTE.

“I’m sure if he’s up there looking down on us, that he’d be very happy and very privileged to see.”

He said his son, who helped coach youth players, would be especially pleased to see the pitch used by young people.

“He was absolutely out of this world, he was a man you wouldn’t meet every day and that’s all I’d say,” he added.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris were also among guests who attended the official opening event on Sunday.