Family describes search for answers in Garda car death as ‘complete and utter torture’

The family of Rebecca Browne, a 21-year-old woman from Galliagh in Londonderry who died in May 2023 after being struck by an Irish police (Garda) patrol car in Ludden, near Buncrana in County Donegal, has stated that their quest for clarity regarding the incident has become “complete and utter torture”. Karina Smith, Rebecca’s aunt and godmother, expressed the family’s distress, stating, “It is hard, really hard on the family… we don’t even know how she died.” The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) confirmed it had no additional comment beyond its statement from last week, which informed both the Browne family and the Gardaí involved that no prosecutions would occur in the case. Ms Browne had been in Buncrana with her cousin for a night out when she died. Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme, the family conveyed their demand for truth and honesty regarding the events, noting their belief that obtaining this has become progressively challenging. Mrs Smith highlighted the scarcity of communication or information from the GSOC in the Republic of Ireland in the months following Rebecca’s death. She further remarked, “Everywhere you turn there has been silence.” Last week, the Browne family received notification that no individual would face prosecution in connection with her death. Mrs Smith described this news as “devastating,” adding that its impact was exacerbated by its delivery via email rather than through a personal meeting. Initially, Rebecca’s death was referred to the GSOC to ascertain if the Gardaí’s actions constituted a disciplinary breach, prior to the announcement of a subsequent investigation to assess whether the Gardaí’s conduct was criminal. Rebecca’s aunt stated that the email received last week from the GSOC marked the family’s first contact with the commission since the summer of the previous year. She commented, “We haven’t heard a thing since July 2023. Then to get that news just was awful, it was horrific.” Mrs Smith reiterated that this absence of information and communication has amounted to “complete and utter torture” for the family. She articulated their demands: “We just want answers and we want clarity. We want to know how it (the GSOC) came to this decision… we want to know why they didn’t have the decency to bring us in and deliver that devastating news face to face.” Mrs Smith further remarked, “We don’t even have a forensic report… there is documentation that has never been given to us but they can come back with this decision. We want to know why.” She concluded, “It is really not good enough, it has been 18 months of chasing around trying to find information and get support which has been non existent.” The GSOC stated last week that Ireland’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had communicated its decision not to pursue a prosecution and that all pertinent parties, including Ms Browne’s family and the Garda members involved, had been informed. While the GSOC indicated it could not offer additional comment, it affirmed its commitment to “continue to engage with the Browne family in the context of coronial proceedings and any other statutory processes that may arise.” Separately, the family’s solicitor confirmed last week that he had formally requested the “full written reasons, together with all documents, consultation notes, expert opinions and reports, and memoranda which have given rise to this decision.” Conor Moylan, from Madden and Finucane Solicitors, declared, “It is our intention to challenge this decision by way of judicial review.” Mrs Smith indicated that the legal challenge is anticipated to commence in early 2025. She also mentioned that Rebecca’s mother, father, and brother are “utterly devastated,” but the extensive support for the justice campaign is sustaining the family. Mrs Smith concluded, “We had been keeping quiet, hoping we would find out answers… Her (Rebecca’s) death will not be shoved under the carpet. She was very loved, everyone is uniting together.”