Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has paid tribute to Detective Garda Colm Horkan who was killed in the line of duty last week.
The brave officer was shot dead in Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17.
A state funeral was held for him in St James' Church in Charlestown, Co Mayo on Sunday.
Speaking today, Minister Flanagan told how the detective "represented the very best of An Garda Siochana."
He said: "I convey again my deepest condolences to Colm’s father Marty; to his sister and fellow public servant Deirdre, his brothers Aidan, Brendan, Dermot and Padraig; to his wider family and friends; and to all the women and men of An Garda Síochána who are heartbroken by his loss.
"Detective Horkan served with distinction for 24 years as a Garda member. He was a proud Mayo man and a talented stalwart of his local GAA club, Charlestown Sarsfields, since his earliest days playing there as a boy.
"We have all heard his colleagues and friends describe him as a man of the highest integrity, a peacemaker, a rock of sense and discretion who loved his job as a Garda.
"Throughout his exemplary service, he embodied that grassroots ethos shared by the GAA and the Gardaí – commitment to family, community and country. As the Garda Commissioner said this week, he epitomised what all Garda members should strive to be.
"Detective Horkan’s death is an all-too-painful reminder of the personal risks that Garda members take, while working to keep us safe.
"The women and men of An Garda Síochána, in their everyday duty, put the welfare of others ahead of themselves, as they work to shield us from harm and to connect our communities.
"While grounded in our communities, they courageously take on the burden of standing between us and danger. It is to them that we turn in times of crisis, including during the current pandemic.
"Each of the 89 men on the Garda Roll of Honour died in the service of the State and for the people of Ireland.
"That is a debt that we can never fully repay, but it is one we will remember."
Concluding his statement, Minister Flanagan said: "Detective Garda Colm Horkan lost his life doing a job that he loved, protecting and serving the community he loved.
"He represented the very best of An Garda Síochána and the best of us. We grieve for him and will remember his brave life, ended far too soon. May he rest in peace.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal."
