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Family 'devastated' no prosecutions over Garda car death

Browne family A smiling Rebecca Browne looks happy. She has dark and long hair, and is wearing a nose ring, earrings and a chain around her neckBrowne family
Rebecca Browne was from the Galliagh area of Derry

The family of a young woman from Londonderry who died after being hit by a Garda (Irish police) patrol car have said they are devastated no officers involved will be prosecuted over her death.

Rebecca Browne from Galliagh, died in May 2023 at Ludden, near Buncrana in County Donegal.

The 21-year-old had gone to Buncrana with her cousin for a night out on the evening she was killed.

The collision had been referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

In a statement on Thursday, GSOC said Ireland's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has informed it of its decision not to direct a prosecution and notified all relevant parties, including Ms Browne's family and Garda members involved.

It said while GSOC could make no further comment, it would "continue to engage with the Browne family in the context of coronial proceedings and any other statutory processes that may arise".

'Let down by the Irish State'

A solicitor representing the Browne family described the decision by the DPP not to prosecute any gardaí involved as "outrageous".

Conor Moylan, of Madden & Finucane Solicitors, said Ms Browne's family had been "let down by the Irish state and are devastated by this decision".

Mr Moylan said the DPP "did not have the courtesy to consult the Browne family in relation to their decision".

The solicitor said he had 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," he added.

In a statement to BBC News NI, the DPP said it did not comment on individual cases.