Crime & Law

Solicitors to seek judicial review in case of woman struck and killed by Garda car in Donegal

Rebecca Browne (21) from Derry died after night out in Buncrana last May

Rebecca Browne's mother said the family was eager to get answers as to the cause of her death.
Rebecca Browne's mother said the family was eager to get answers as to the cause of her death.
Tim O'Brien
Thu Dec 12 2024 - 20:31

Solicitors for the family of Rebecca Browne, who was struck and killed by a Garda car, have said they will seek a judicial review of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) decision not to prosecute any members of An Garda Síochána in connection with the case.

Belfast-based Madden & Finucane Solicitors said it had been informed on Wednesday by a representative of the Garda Ombudsman (Gsoc) of the DPP decision.

Ms Browne (21), a hairdresser from the Galliagh area of Co Derry, had been returning home from a night out with friends in Buncrana, Co Donegal, last May when she was struck by the car.

Ms Browne’s mother Rachel Lynn Smith said the family was eager to get answers as to the cause of her death.

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Gsoc was informed in the aftermath of the incident as a Garda car was involved.

Conor Moylan of Madden & Finucane Solicitors said the DPP’s decision not to prosecute was “outrageous”. In a statement Mr Moylan said “Rebecca’s family have been let down by the Irish State and are devastated by this decision. The DPP did not have the courtesy to consult the Browne family in relation to their decision.

“We have requested the full written reasons, together with all documents, consultation notes, expert opinions and reports, and memoranda which have given rise to this decision.

“It is our intention to challenge this decision by way of judicial review.”

Gsoc was contacted for comment. The BBC reported Gsoc acknowledged it had been notified by the DPP there would be no prosecution.

Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien

Tim O'Brien is an Irish Times journalist