Colleagues of a Garda who was shot dead in Co. Roscommon last night, prayed alongside the priest who gave him the last rights.
Detective Garda Colm Horkan was on patrol in Castlerea last night when we went to deal with an incident on the main street.
The situation evolved into a physical altercation, which ended in the 49 year old being shot a number of times.
His body has been removed from the scene and a post mortem examination will take place later day.
Fr. John McManus read Garda Horkan his last rights.
"I thought very poignant in the stillness of the scene, and the shock, I suppose the trauma that was there with his colleagues - they actually joined with me in prayer towards the end.
"It was very sad, and the town of Castlerea was very shocked and saddened when they woke up to the news this morning."
Detective Garda Colm Horkan has been described as an experienced detective who was greatly respected.
The Garda Commissioner, the President and the Taoiseach are among those paying tribute to the 49 year old.
The Garda Representative Association has described him as a brave colleague.
MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan lives near the scene of the shooting.
"We're reeling here from this.
"It's a strange feeling to be sitting in your house at 12 o'clock at night and hear that a Garda has been shot 300 metres away, and 100 metres away from your father and mother in law's house.
"It's an horrific day for Castlerea, it's an horrific day for an Garda Síochána, and it's hard to know what to say."
