Family want answers on death of woman hit by police

Image source, Browne family

Image caption, Rebecca Browne was killed in County Donegal in May
At a glance
  • Rebecca Browne died after being hit by a Garda (Irish police) patrol car in County Donegal in May
  • The collision had already been referred to the Garda S铆och谩na Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) to determine if the actions of the Garda铆 had amounted to a breach of discipline.
  • GSOC has now said it is to explore whether the actions of the police were criminal in nature

Ireland's policing watchdog is to investigate whether there was a "criminal element" by garda铆 (Irish police) after a Londonderry woman was killed in County Donegal.

Rebecca Browne, 21, from the Galliagh area of Derry, was killed after being hit by a Garda patrol car in Ludden, near Buncrana, in May 21.

The collision had already been referred to the Garda S铆och谩na Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) to determine if the actions of the Garda铆 had amounted to a breach of discipline.

But a new investigation will examine whether the actions of garda铆 were criminal in nature.

'Miss our daughter dearly'

A law firm representing Ms Browne's family said they wanted the circumstances of the 21-year-old's death to be investigated rigorously.

They said: 鈥淲e will continue to work closely with the family to ensure a full and proper investigation is carried out."

Ms Browne's mother said she was pleased to hear the investigation was being taken seriously by the police ombudsman.

鈥淲e are eager to find out what occurred on the night of Rebecca鈥檚 death," Rachel Lynn Smith said.

"We miss our daughter dearly and can only hope that justice will be served.鈥

An Garda S铆och谩na has been approached by 成人论坛 News NI for comment.