Family of Rebecca Browne to launch judicial review after DPP declines to prosecute over Garda car crash death
The family of Rebecca Browne, 21, who was killed in a collision with a Garda car near Buncrana, Co Donegal, in May 2023, is planning a judicial review after the DPP decided not to prosecute. The family's lawyer confirmed the legal challenge will begin in early 2025 to seek the full written reasons behind the DPP's decision.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatRebecca Browne, 21, was a hairdresser from the Galliagh area of Co Derry. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRebecca Browne was 21 when she died in a collision with a Garda car in Co Donegal. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatRebecca had gone to Buncrana for a night out with a cousin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereShe had been returning home from a night out with friends in Buncrana, Co Donegal, when she was struck by the car. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe collision occurred near Buncrana in Donegal. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe crash happened at 3.15am on 21 May 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe family requested the full written reasons, all documents, consultation notes, expert opinions and reports behind the DPP decision. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGSOC was informed in the aftermath of the incident as a Garda car was involved. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe death was referred to GSOC because the crash involved a Garda car. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGSOC examined whether the actions of gardai amounted to a breach of discipline or a criminal element. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe DPP informed GSOC that there would be no prosecution case. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe family's lawyer confirmed a judicial review is to get under way in early 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe intention is to challenge the DPP's decision by way of judicial review. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBelfast-based Madden & Finucane Solicitors was informed on Wednesday by a representative of the Garda Ombudsman (GSOC) of the DPP decision. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe BBC reported GSOC acknowledged it had been notified by the DPP there would be no prosecution. (irishtimes.com)
- otherRebecca was a talented hairdresser from Co Derry. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe DPP's decision not to prosecute was delivered to the family by email. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe family had not heard from gardai since July 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 19 Dec2024Family of young woman killed in Garda crash planning legal case for 'answers'
Reports the DPP's decision not to prosecute, the family's criticism of how the decision was communicated, and the plan to challenge it by judicial review in early 2025.
victim, Rebecca Browne, 21, female, irish (judged from name)Rebecca Brownesuspect - 12 Dec2024Solicitors to seek judicial review in case of woman struck and killed by Garda car in Donegal
Identifies the solicitors as Belfast-based Madden & Finucane, names the victim's mother as Rachel Lynn Smith, confirms the victim was a hairdresser from the Galliagh area of Co Derry, and quotes solicitor Conor Moylan calling the DPP decision 'outrageous' and requesting full written reasons, documents, consultation notes, expert opinions and reports.
victim, Rebecca Browne, 21, female, non-irish (judged from name)Rebecca Browne