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Extra.ie
11-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Slain garda's gun holster was never tested by forensic officers
Senior gardaí withheld murdered Detective Garda Colm Horkan's defective gun holster from the control of forensic officers charged with investigating the crime, a whistleblower has claimed in a series of damning protected disclosures to The whistleblower – a serving member of An Garda Síochána who headed up the Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB) – today gives a first-person account of his attendance at the incident room at Castlerea Garda station in the hours after Detective Garda Colm Horkan's murder. In the account, the whistleblower claims that he was told that Det Gda Horkan's murderer, Stephen Silver, initially told investigators he had pulled the slain garda's gun from his holster. The whistleblower claims that he was told that Det Gda Horkan's murderer, Stephen Silver, initially told investigators he had pulled the slain garda's gun from his holster. Pic: Brian Lawless/PA Wire This initial account is not the evidence that was given at Silver's subsequent trial, where he was convicted of the capital murder. Regardless, it means that at the very early stages of the investigation, Garda Horkan's holster was identified as a key piece of evidence. The whistleblower goes on to detail that, despite the holster being bagged and tagged as a ballistic exhibit, it was not returned to the GNTB for forensic examination. Pic: KarlM Photography/Shutterstock Instead, it was taken into the possession of another uniformed Chief Superintendent – at the direction of Garda management – who then had the holster examined by a non-forensically trained officer. The explosive allegations are among those contained in new protected disclosures made by a senior serving officer to former Labour leader Alan Kelly and Others include that: The whistleblower's attempts to mount a 'warning campaign' about the holsters caused 'frustrations at the highest level' of the force. A previous incident where a Garda received life-changing injuries outside the Israeli Embassy when his gun went off accidentally saw that holster being examined forensically, with a report concluding the holster was defective. Footage from live-fire training events, prior to the murder of Det Gda Horkan, clearly evidenced the defective nature of the holsters and the dangers they posed. An 'alternative report' ordered by Commissioner Harris, which was carried out by the Firearms Stores Section that procured the holsters, was a 'clear conflict of interest' that undermined Garda 'forensic and ballistic experts'. This second report was compiled some months later, while the whistleblower was on annual leave The senior officer was deliberately targeted for raising the concerns and is currently taking a case in the High Court and the WRC for penalisation. The senior officer involved in the investigation into Det Gda Horkan's murder claimed the 'initial account', provided by Silver, in custody, was that he was 'able to reach down [from behind] and remove it from Garda Horkan's official issue leather pistol holster'. Alan Kelly. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins But, he notes in his disclosure: 'Court reporting later provided by RTÉ showed that the narrative had changed, it was now being reported that it was actually Det Gda Horkan who moved to draw his official issue firearm and that Stephen Silver placed his hand on top of Det Gda Horkan's hand resulting in both men drawing the pistol together, with Silver somehow managing to take the firearm from Garda Horkan even though his (Silver's) grip would have been significantly weakened as a result of it being widened by the grip that Det Gda Horkan allegedly already had on the pistol grip of the firearm.' The officer said that, while Silver's account changed, that narrative did not match with what was originally relayed to him early on June 18, 2020. His disclosure claims: 'The narrative had been revised to suggest that the late Det Gda Colm Horkan had actively moved to withdraw his official issue firearm from his holster. While this was clearly the evidence provided, including by Silver himself, it is at significant variance from what was originally presented.' Mr Kelly last night called for a full investigation by the Department of Justice into the dossier of allegations, which include serious claims made against the force and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Pic: Leah Farrell/ revealed in late 2023 how another Garda whistleblower made separate disclosures to Garda management, warning about defective Garda-issued holsters prior to the killing of Det Gda Horkan shortly before midnight on June 17, 2020. Convicted killer Silver is serving a mandatory minimum sentence of 40 years after he shot the plainclothes garda 11 times after disarming him. In one disclosure from the second Garda whistleblower, the senior officer also alleges Commissioner Harris 'personally sought' an 'alternative report' that ultimately concluded a defective holster did not play a role in the life-changing injuries suffered by a Detective attached to the Special Detective Unit (SDU) – despite mounting circumstantial evidence that it had. Crucially, Det Gda Horkan was using the same type of defective holster on the night of his murder. The second whistleblower writes: 'It must be asked if there is a deliberate effort or intent by Drew Harris and others to conceal a dangerously defective holster that facilitated the unobstructed removal of Colm's firearm by Stephen Silver, which ultimately resulted in Colm being murdered by his own firearm. 'Commissioner Harris must now ask of himself if Det Gda Horkan would still be alive today if he had actively pursued the protected disclosures of the original confidential reporter (made a year before the murder).' Detective Colm Horkan. Pic: File The senior officer claims that respected retired Defence Forces weapons expert Lieutenant Colonel Ray Lane was initially hired to look into another whistleblower's claims about the Garda Firearms Store. But he said this was dropped after Commissioner Harris made it clear that he did not want a Defence Forces member involved in any inquiry, and that he would get a former colleague from the North to look into it instead. The officer also said that defective ammunition stored at Garda HQ – highlighted in an earlier disclosure from the first Garda whistleblower in last month – was not fully withdrawn until 2023, five years after it was recalled by the manufacturers. He claims this resulted in potential hazards for Garda members carrying firearms and compromised the integrity of security offered to visiting dignitaries during this period. Responding to the allegations, a Garda spokeswoman said: 'As you have stated, you are seeking responses arising from Protected Disclosures – An Garda Síochána is precluded by law from commenting on any matters that are subject of Protected Disclosures. Pic: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images 'An Garda Síochána cannot comment on ongoing investigations being carried out by either An Garda Síochána or Fiosrú [the Garda ombudsman]. 'In general, certain matters raised by you have been attended to and discussed by An Garda Síochána with the relevant oversight bodies. 'An Garda Síochána notes allegations in your enquiry made against named individuals which are inaccurate. 'The following information is already in the public domain: At the Oireachtas Justice Committee meeting in November 2023 and at a separate media briefing, Commissioner Harris stated that following the murder of Det Gda Colm Horkan, as Commissioner he directed that a new safety holster be introduced. This new safety holster was procured following a tender process for firearms accessories that concluded in September 2020. 'This process resulted in a new supplier of holsters being retained by An Garda Síochána. 'The conviction of Stephen Silver for the capital murder of Det Gda Colm Horkan is a matter of fact and public record. Following consideration of a comprehensive Garda investigation file the DPP directed criminal charges against Stephen Silver. 'Criminal trials are carried out in public and evidence adduced by both the prosecution and defence are tested, examined and cross-examined. After hearing the evidence, a jury of his peers convicted Stephen Silver of the capital murder of Det Gda Colm Horkan.' Mr Kelly, Labour's Justice spokesman, has repeatedly raised the issue in the Dáil of the defective Garda holsters. He said he has examined the holsters, which remained in official use until March 2023. The Tipperary TD said: 'This senior garda officer is very sincere, hard-working, experienced, highly qualified and decent. He is distinguished and is so on top of his area of expertise and responsibility. 'I understand that to be the sense amongst senior gardaí who have dealt with and worked with him. I've met with him on many occasions after he approached me last year. He has shown me the holsters. 'When you make comparisons between them and similar issued holsters, there is no comparison in quality. It is quite easy to manipulate them as they are of such poor quality. 'Having raised this issue in the Dáil… many gardaí of all ranks have been in touch with me to say that it was well known that these holsters were faulty and they refused to use them. Gardaí used to purchase their own holsters rather than use these, which says it all. 'There is no doubt that another garda warned the Commissioner and the Garda authorities that these holsters were faulty and substandard and that if they were left in place that gardaí would be injured and could possibly be murdered. 'There is also no doubt that in two cases where there was potentially an issue with holsters that deliberately there were two different approaches to the follow-up investigations of the firearms and holsters that took place. 'Why was this? Were those who carried out the investigation qualified to ISO standard? What this garda is alleging is so concerning that the future Garda Commissioner and the current Minister for Justice will have no choice but to launch a full investigation into all facets of his allegations. They are problematic on so many levels. I'll keep raising them in the Dáil until they are investigated.' A Department of Justice spokesman said: 'Minister [Jim] O'Callaghan is aware of the issues raised in your email. As the issues form part of an investigation by Fiosrú, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.
Travel Daily News
08-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
German events market is becoming larger
Germany's events industry surged in 2024 with rising in-person attendance, internationalisation, and sustainability, reaching 91% of pre-pandemic business travel levels. FRANKFURT – The German National Tourist Board (GNTB), the GCB German Convention Bureau and the EVVC European Association of Event Centres present the results of the 'Meeting & EventBarometer 2024/2025″. The key figures for the German events market in 2024 confirm the upward trend of recent years with significantly rising attendee numbers, especially for in-person events, as well as increasing internationalisation. Development of Business Travel in German Incoming Tourism According to analyses by IPK International carried out on behalf of the GNTB and GCB in 2024, the number of international business trips from Europe to Germany increased by 7.7 percent year-on-year from 11.1 million to 11.9 million. Including overseas markets, the business travel segment grew by 8.1 percent to 14.65 million trips to Germany. In 2024, Germany remains by far the number one business travel destination for Europeans and 20 percent of trips from Europe to Germany were business trips. Petra Hedorfer, chairwoman of the GNTB's executive board: 'With 14.65 million international business trips to Germany in 2024, the business travel segment continues to recover post-Covid, reaching 91 per cent of the 2019 level. Within the market for business trips from Europe to Germany, all segments were on the rise in 2024. Compared to classic business trips, the number of MICE trips rose above average by 13 percent to 7.1 million, constituting a market share of 60 percent. Within the MICE-related travel segment, congresses/conferences remain the strongest segment with an increase of eleven percent and a 39 percent share of the business travel market. However, those positive 2024 figures should not obscure the fact that the overall conditions for the business travel market have become significantly more difficult since the start of 2025. As escalating trade conflicts are dampening growth expectations globally, business travel might be impacted. This makes it all the more important to focus on internationalisation and the digital transformation to ensure that Germany remains a connected and competitive player and leading business travel destination in the long term.' German Events Become Bigger, With More International Attendees Matthias Schultze, Managing Director of the GCB German Convention Bureau, puts the 2024 business travel figures in the context of the latest Meeting & EventBarometer, which covers the entire event market, including business and leisure events: 'According to IPK International, Germany leads globally as the most visited destination for MICE trips. In 2024, ten percent of MICE trips worldwide led to Germany. This equals 8.9 million trips in absolute figures and constitutes year-on-year growth of more than 15 percent, reaching almost 98 percent of the 2019 level. This positive market development is also reflected in our new Meeting & EventBarometer: While the overall number of events taking place last year in Germany has decreased slightly in comparison to 2023, they were on average bigger with respect to attendee figures and also more international.' Looking at attendee numbers specifically reveals the upward trend: Attending events in-person – either in-person only events or the in-person attendance option of hybrid events – is booming, with a total of 378 million attendees choosing to attend events in-person last year. This corresponds to growth of 21.5 percent (2023: 310.8 million) and takes overall attendee numbers to almost 90 percent of the 2019 level. It is worth noting that the number of attendees increased across all types of venues, including dedicated event centres, conference hotels and other venues such as museums or historic spaces. Growth in international attendees contributes to the German events market's positive development: For in-person events, the share of attendees from abroad increased from 6.2 percent in 2023 to an average of 9.5 percent in 2024, which in absolute numbers equals 93 percent of international attendance in 2019. The real volume of in-person events in 2024 was 2.02 million, corresponding to 69.9 percent of the 2019 level. Compared to 2023, this constitutes a slight decline in volume of six percent, which – combined with the increase in attendee numbers including from abroad – suggests that events are becoming larger as well as more international overall. Business Events Drive Internationalisation German business events in particular attract international guests: At 11.1 percent, the share of international attendees is higher in this segment than in all types of events overall. This corresponds to 12.7 million people travelling to Germany from abroad to attend business events in 2024, constituting an increase of two percentage points compared to 2023. At just under 50 percent, companies are the most important organiser group of business events. In terms of the origin, German event organisers are a solid business base for business event venue providers: 90.9 percent of all organisations come from Germany. At the same time, there is a trend towards more international customers as their share has risen from 6.3 percent to 9.9 per cent compared to 2023. Internationally, Germany's direct neighbours are particularly strong source markets, with the USA, UK and China also playing a role. Sustainability as Standard – AI as Part of Everyday Working Life Sustainability has become a key USP in the business of events: Between 2011 and 2024, the share of event space suppliers that have implemented a sustainability standard or sustainability reporting more than doubled from 27 percent to 60 percent. Another 23 percent are planning to implement one. On the customer side, almost 80 percent of event organisers prefer venues with a sustainability standard in place. 'Event and congress centres as well as arenas and special event venues have massively increased their commitment to sustainability, which is being well received by customers and attendees,' says René Tumler, Managing Director of the EVVC. 'Combined with their advancing digitalisation, venues are thus ideally positioned to future-proof their operations for our transformative times that require technology and sustainability efforts to work in tandem.' While it has taken more than a decade for sustainability to become a standard for the selection of event spaces, the integration of AI into the day-to-day operations of business events stakeholders seems to be happening much faster: 78 percent of event organisers and 46 percent of venues say they use AI tools, with chatbots taking the top spot in both cases. AI-supported simultaneous translations as well as feedback and KPI analyses follow in second and third place on the organiser side, while marketing applications for image and text generation are particularly popular with venue suppliers. Positive Growth Outlook for 2025 Looking ahead, both venues and event organisers are confident about the coming months: 85 percent of organisers expect the event planning situation to be (very) good and 62 percent of venues rate the booking situation for the coming months as (very) good. Both groups see potential for growth, particularly for in-person only events. The German organisers surveyed also expect the growth in international attendees to continue with more event attendees from European countries. All types of events have been operating in a complex environment for several years now and are impacted by a wide range of factors. Digitalisation is changing people's behaviour and attendees' expectations of events are now influenced by both the on-demand culture and mobile working. In this context, the results of the Meeting & EventBarometer 2024/2025 show the continued importance of events. Above all, the growth in in-person attendance indicates that engaging with others face-to-face when discussing relevant issues as well as the actual personal experience of events is more crucial than ever.
