A 43-year-old man accused of the murder of Det Garda Colm Horkan in Roscommon last month is unlikely to be fit to appear before court in the coming weeks, a remand hearing has been told.
Stephen Silver of Aughaward, Foxford, Co Mayo, who is charged with the murder of Det Horkan in Castlerea on 17 June, was due to appear before Harristown District Court but was deemed unfit to appear by video link.
His solicitor, Gearoid Geraghty, told Judge Alan Mitchell that his client is currently being treated in the acute admissions ward at the Central Mental Hospital.
It is the third time since his arrest last month that Mr Silver has been unable to appear by video link before Harristown District Court.
Mr Geraghty said that, according to doctors at the Central Mental Hospital, his client will be kept under review, and that his health is expected to gradually improve during the next two months.
Sgt Mark Mahon said that the State's application was that Mr Silver be remanded in custody for two weeks to appear before Harristown District Court via video link on 7 August.
Mr Geraghty said that he did not expect Mr Silver will be able to appear via video link on that date due to continuing treatment.
Judge Mitchell asked Mr Geraghty if he had any objection to his client appearing via video link, and he confirmed he did not.
Judge Mitchell remanded Mr Silver in custody to appear via video link before Harristown District Court on 7 August.
