Hundreds of people in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, have gathered in the pouring rain for a vigil to remember Detective Garda Colm Horkan.
His colleagues and members of the local community have come together to remember the 49-year-old, who was shot dead while on duty last night.
His gun was taken from him during a physical altercation with a man on the main street of the town.
A man in his 40s is being held for questioning.
Despite poor weather, hundreds of locals took part in a vigil for Detective Garda Horkan this evening.
One man, who attended the vigil to show support for the local Garda community, explained: "Colm was very much part of the team in Castlerea for quite a number of years, and apparently he was not just an outstanding policeman but an [outstanding] human being at his heart."He'll be sorely missed and sorrowfully missed by all of us - we need more of his ilk in our community, not less."
Hundreds of locals have gathered in the pouring rain to remember Detective Garda Colm Horkan pic.twitter.com/nuKwAeTl3B
— Kacey O'Riordan (@KaceyORiordan) June 18, 2020
Speaking ahead of tonight's vigil, local priest Fr John McManus said he has been speaking with other gardaí in the town.
He said: "They're still in shock, and deeply, deeply saddened.
"[They're] having to go through the routine of trying to follow up on people who may have seen or heard anything... getting on with the job as well, but under very difficult and trying circumstances."
A memorial event was also held in Castlerea this afternoon for Colm Horkan's Garda colleagues.
The death of Detective Horkan has also shocked the small town of Charlestown, County Mayo where he lived.
