Buncrana protest demands ‘accountability and justice’ over Rebecca Browne’s death

A sizable crowd braved the cold December weather to attend the Justice for Rebecca Browne’ protest at the Ludden beach car park outside Buncrana on Friday night.

The event was organised by Rebecca’s family to “demand answers, accountability and justice” regarding her death in May 2023.

Rebecca, who was from the Galliagh area of Derry, died when she was struck by a Garda vehicle. The collision was referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc), which announced last week the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had informed it of its decision not to direct a prosecution in the case. Gsoc said the incident was the subject of an independent criminal investigation, which concluded with the submission of an investigative file to the DPP.

Addressing the crowd, Rebecca's mother, Lynn said: "The truth is coming. The silence is over. They silenced me the day and hour I got that knock to the door and I am not being silent any more.

#JusticeForRebeccaBrowne #Buncrana #Derry

Addressing the crowd, Rebecca's mother, Lynn said: "The truth is coming. The silence is over. They silenced me the day & hour I got that knock to the door & I am not being silent any more.

"I got a terrible lie at the door. I didn't… pic.twitter.com/JtuF6oVLd2

— Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) December 20, 2024

"I didn't know it was a Garda car that took my wane off the street. I found out on social media." 

Speaking just before the protest started, Rebecca’s aunt and godmother, Karina Smith, said her family and their supporters had organised the protest “to get answers”. 

My @DerryNow / @InishTimes piece on tonight's Friday, December 20, 2024) 'Justice for Rebeccca Browne' protest at Ludden beach car park, outside Buncrana, Inishowen, County Donegal.

& ✍️ @DerryNow pic.twitter.com/CG3tYSpX5x

— Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) December 20, 2024

“We are here to get the truth,” said Karina. “We are here to make a statement that we are not going to go quietly. There is a lot of support for us.

“We just think we haven’t got all the answers. We don’t even know how Rebecca died. There is no forensic report. The fact that they can come out and say there are no prosecutions. That is why we are making a stand today.”

Karina said An Garda Síochána had not been in touch with Rebecca’s family.

Derry family left 'devastated' by decision not to prosecute gardai involved in woman's death

Rebecca Browne, 21, from the Galliagh area, died in May 2023 in Buncrana after a night out when she was struck by the garda vehicle

Funeral of 'talented and impressive' Rebecca Browne takes place

‘Rebecca radiated life and love’ - Fr Michael McCaughey

#JusticeForRebeccaBrowne #Buncrana #Derry

A sizable crowd braved the cold December weather to attend the ‘Justice for Rebecca Browne’ civic protest at the Ludden beach car park outside Buncrana, in Inishowen.

Addressing the crowd, her aunt & godmother, Karina Smith, who was… pic.twitter.com/rgYKeKDA5B

— Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) December 20, 2024

“We have had no contact with An Garda since July 2023. We received the decision that there were to be no prosecutions by email. It was sent to the solicitors,” she added.

“They didn’t even meet us face to face to explain the situation to us. We were supposed to be appointed a family liaison officer (FLO) as well. We did have one at the start but the communication has been non-existent since July 2023. The FLO is supposed to be there with you right up until the inquest but our FLO did not meet us to give us a bit of support. It was basically an email saying there will be no prosecutions, case closed and that’s that. 

“As of yet, no date has been fixed for Rebecca’s inquest. We did get a letter on March 21 to say an inquest would be taking place. 

“We just don’t understand, first of all. If they had just met us face to face and said, ‘Look, this is the reason why’, maybe we wouldn’t be making a protest tonight. But the way it has been handled and the lack of sincerity as well.

“Rebecca was loved by every one of us. We are totally lost. Just to get it two weeks before Christmas and not even be told. We are not going to tolerate it. We are not going to stand for it. We want the truth. We don’t know where she died. We don’t know where it was on this road. It is just unbelievable how there can be no communication whatsoever and no prosecutions,” said Karina.

Speaking about Rebecca, Karina said she was “so friendly”.

“Every time you looked at her she was singing. She just sang constantly. To think that her last moments were down in a chip shop singing Travelin’ Soldier, that just sums her up.

“She was the life and soul of the party and she was just so loving. She loved her family and was very loyal and happy. I don’t think I have ever seen her without a smile. She was a real light in people’s lives,” said Karina.

Rebecca’s family is seeking meetings with Gsoc and An Garda Síochána. 

“They have told us the investigation is closed,”said Karina, “but we have no answers so it is not closed in our eyes. We are also taking a judicial review of the decision not to prosecute anyone in connection with Rebecca’s death.”

Rebecca's friend Leah McDaid, who was with her the night she died, said it had taken a lot out of her to come back to the place where Rebecca had died.

She added: "This is the first time I have been down her since it happened.

"Normally when I am driving down, I would take panic attacks but I didn't today. I had to find the strength for her.

"I am just so angry, so, so angry ... The way they handled the situation that night was a joke. They didn't tell me what had happened. I found out the next morning, hours later, on Facebook. That's how I found out, that's how my daddy found out, that's how Lynn, Gerry and Ethan found out, on the internet.

"We need answers, we need justice," said Leah.

Leah added she would always remember Rebecca's personality.

"She was an amazing person. She made everybody smile around her. She walked into the room and you were automatically in fits of laughter. She made everybody laugh. She was a very special person. I have never come across a person like her.

"I grew up across the street from her, so we were more like sisters than anything. I'll never find another Rebecca. "I am just going to keep her name going for my family. I just want justice. We need justice," said Leah.

#JusticeForRebeccaBrowne #Buncrana #Derry

Speaking to @DerryNow, Rebecca's friend Leah McDaid who was with her the night she died, said it had taken a lot out of her to come back to the place where Rebecca had died.

She added: "This is the first time I have been down her since… pic.twitter.com/Qkz7i0mpZL

— Catherine McGinty (@CathMcGin_Tea) December 20, 2024

In a poignant conclusion to the vigil, Rebecca's friend, Erin Kelly,  sang Travelin' Soldier by The Chicks, which Rebecca had been singing earlier on the night she died.