The 44-year old charged Mayo man with the murder of a detective garda is due back in court in Roscommon next week to face a further charge.
Stephen Silver of Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, who is accused of the murder of Det. Garda Colm Horkan on June 17 in Castlerea, is continuing to receive treatment at the Central Mental Hospital.
Silver was due before Harristown District Court this morning but the court was told that a sick note had been received and that the accused was unable to attend court by video link. It is the twelfth time that Silver has been deemed unfit to appear before the court.
Sgt Mark Mahon told Judge Alan Mitchell a further charge is to be put to Silver at Castlerea District Court next Friday and that discussions had taken place between senior gardai and the accused’s medical team at the Central Mental Hospital for the accused to appear.
He said that the lead investigator, Det. Inspector John Costello, had spoken with Professor Damian Mohan, a consultant psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital (CMH).
Sgt Mahon said that there is an arrangement in place with the Central Mental Hospital and that this was for the welfare of the accused, as well as to proceed with the charges.
Defence solicitor Gearoid Geragthy said he accepted this. He said his client was in custody for five months and wanted to know when the book of evidence would be served.
“I have been told on a number of occasions that he is medically unfit to attend court for whatever reason. I take it that he is medically fit and that he will be produced next week unless we hear otherwise,” said Judge Mitchell.
He said any issue whether Silver was fit to be tried was a different matter.
Mr Geragthy said the defence was waiting on a psychiatric report in that regard.
Judge Mitchell remanded Silver in custody to appear before Castlerea District Court next Friday.
