'He’s been full of remorse. He’s also been assessed repeatedly given his obvious problems.'
Garda killer Stephen Silver has “expressed remorse” behind bars - as he spends his time in a specialised unit.
It is understood that Silver is detained in an isolated part of Mountjoy Prison and is largely confined to his cell for up to 23 hours a day. The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for a total of eight hours and 39 minutes before returning their verdict on Wednesday to Ms Justice Tara Burns.
Following the verdict, Ms Justice Burns thanked the jury for their diligence in what she described as an extremely difficult case involving a lot of legal issues. Silver, a motorbike mechanic from Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Det Garda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty.