The death of a garda officer, shot dead in the course of his duty in County Roscommon on Wednesday night, has caused a profound sense of shock throughout Ireland.
A murder investigation has been launched after Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who had served with An Garda Siochána for 24 years, was killed in the small rural town of Castlerea.
The details of this tragedy are still emerging but it is understood the officer was shot with his own weapon during an altercation with a man close to the Garda station in the town.
Reports suggest Mr Horkan was returning to the station when he intervened in an incident unfolding on the street.
A man in his 40s has been been arrested and is being held at Castlerea Garda Station.
The detective, who had served with the Garda for 24 years, was from Charlestown, Co Mayo and is survived by his father, sister and four brothers.
Warm tributes have been paid to Detective Garda Horkan, with colleagues and local people describing him as a well liked, highly respected and dedicated officer.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the murder was a 'random act' and was not being linked to organised crime.
However, Mr Horkan's death is a grim reminder of the dangers faced by police officers as they go about their lawful duty, preventing crime and protecting the community they serve.
This officer is the 89th member of the force to be killed in the line of duty since it was founded in 1922.
It is five years since Garda Tony Golden was shot dead in Co Louth by a dissident republican while responding to a domestic violence complaint.
In the same county in 2013, Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was a contemporary of Colm Horkan, was fatally wounded during a Credit Union robbery.
A thorough investigation is now underway into the death of Mr Horkan and hopefully will be able to answer how an officer can head out on patrol and end up losing his life.
It should also determine if there are any lessons that need to be learned from this horrific incident.
In the meantime, the sympathies of people across the island will be with the family of Detective Horkan.
