'Intolerable' for garda's family to have impasse in Stephen Silver appeal 'drag on', judge says

A Court of Appeal review heard today that proceedings in the appeal of Stephen Silver against his murder conviction have stalled over access to psychiatric disclosure from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Silver, aged 48, a motorbike mechanic from Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, is serving a 40-year minimum sentence following his conviction for the capital murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at the Central Criminal Court in April 2023. He had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Castlerea, County Roscommon in June 2020. Counsel for Silver told the Court of Appeal that his legal team has requested comprehensive disclosure relating to psychiatric evidence but encountered obstruction in obtaining it. Mr Justice John Edwards, presiding, noted that the coroner for County Roscommon cannot complete the inquest into Garda Horkan's death pending determination of the appeal. The judge stated the delay was intolerable for the deceased garda's family and adjourned the matter to a case management hearing on 20 June, indicating a motion could be brought should the impasse continue.