Family of woman killed in Garda car accident still awaiting answers a year on

The family of a young Derry woman killed in a road accident involving a Garda patrol car is awaiting answers a full year after her death.

Rebecca Browne (21), from Elaghmore Park in the city, died when she was struck by a Garda patrol car while returning to her accommodation from a night out in Buncrana on May 21 last year.

Earlier this year, Ms Browne’s former colleagues at Sage Hair and Beauty organised a sponsored walk in her memory to raise funds for the Make a Wish Foundation.

Immediately following Ms Browne’s tragic death, the Republic’s Garda Ombudsman was called in to investigate. However, a full year on, her family is still trying to found out what happened, according to their solicitor.

Conor Moylan, of Madden and Finucane Solicitors, said Ms Browne’s family were seeking answers to a number of questions.

Mr Moylan said: “We are a year on from the tragic death of Rebecca Browne and the family are still awaiting answer from GSOC (the Republic’s Garda Ombudsman’s office).

“To date, they have received no further information regarding the circumstances of the incident, the Garda member involved or if disciplinary procedures have been implemented. We will continue to work very closely with the family to ensure this matter is investigated fully and in a timely manner.”

A spokeswoman for the Garda Ombudsman said: “Investigations into incidents such as this require time and care and GSOC’s priority is to ensure that the investigation is as thorough as possible.

“In the context of a live investigation, there are significant restrictions placed upon an investigative agency with regard to what it may disclose to interested parties. This is to ensure that the integrity of the investigation, and of any statutory processes that may arise from it, is preserved.”

The spokeswoman said the investigation team along with family liaison officers would continue to liaise with the Browne family and their appointed representatives, providing them with updates on the investigation as they arose.