Stephen Silver is serving a life sentence for shooting Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
Stephen Silver’s lawyers have argued that his conviction for capital murder should be quashed because the jury wasn’t properly directed by the judge on matters of law.
Silver, of Foxford, Co Mayo, is serving a life sentence for shooting Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea, Co Roscommon almost six years ago.
At trial, the key issue for the jury to decide was whether Stephen Silver was experiencing a relapse of a mental disorder that reduced or diminished his criminal responsibility.
The defence called an expert witness who concluded that he was; while the prosecution’s witness was of the view that while a psychotic episode may have been developing, it hadn’t manifested at the time he disarmed and shot Detective Colm Horkan eleven times.
Today, his barrister, Dominic McGinn SC, submitted that the trial judge didn’t adequately explain the relevant law in relation to expert witnesses and psychiatric evidence.
Mr McGinn SC said the jury should have been better informed of the idea that a person can still appear to act purposefully while suffering from mental illness – their rebuttal of the prosecution’s expert evidence.
In response, the prosecution says the jury was correctly directed and the conviction is safe.
A decision will be given at a later date.
Two Men In Court Over Westmeath Assault
Offaly Man Reflects On Meeting Brad Pitt In the 90's
Laois Soccer Club Marks 60th Anniversary with 12 Hour Football Marathon
Glow In The Dark Sliotar Wins Student Enterprise Finals
Tanaiste Congratulates Laois School On Robotics Award
Bike Week Kicks Off In Laois Tomorrow
Two Men Jailed After Brutal Attack On Vulnerable Midlands Resident
Rose Of Tralee To Lead Darkness Into Light Walk In Laois Town
Midlands Actor Cast As John Lennon In New BBC Beatles Drama
Irish Rail To Provide Extra Services For Leinster Football Final
SIPTU Members At Offaly Sterilisation Plant To Take Strike Action
Laois County Council Seeking New Funding For STEM Officer Role
Longford-Westmeath TD Welcomes New IDA Facility
Retired Postal Workers Stage Nationwide Protests Over Pension Disputes
Laois Rental Homes Issued Improvement Notices Following Inspections
IDA Commits To State-Of-The-Art Midlands Development
Medical Card Holders Cut Off From Dental Care
Plans For New Café Lodged In Westmeath
Two Ryanair Passengers Jailed And Fined €10k for Disruptive Behaviour
Communication And Safety Highlighted At National Older Peoples Convention