The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is currently weighing a fresh dossier from the Garda, prompted by an in-depth reassessment of the inquiry into Stephen Lynch’s death. Mr. Lynch, 31 years old and a father of three hailing from Tallaght, was a victim to a fatal hit-and-run incident in Tallaght more than seven years ago.
The Dublin District Coroner’s Court witnessed a session on Tuesday where news of an additional dossier submitted to the DPP was discussed, as the Garda anticipates guidance. It was at Brookfield Close estate that Mr Lynch was hit by a car on the 13th of April, 2017, later declared dead at the accident site. However, there have been no charges in connection with his demise.
Detective Inspector Jason Miley informed the court of his anticipation of DPP’s direction on this new dossier ahead of the Tuesday’s court proceeding. He requested coroner Dr Cróna Gallagher for a brief postponement.
Solicitor Brian Doyle, representing Mr. Lynch’s mother Vera Donovan, stated that his client was extremely emotional and distressed at the constant postponements of the hearing. According to him, there had been “no progression in seven years” on the case, compounded by several “false starts” to the inquest.
Dr Cróna Gallagher had previously scheduled to conduct the inquest, but the required guidance from the DPP was yet awaited, leaving her helpless. “Once there’s an outstanding DPP update, I have no choice but to wait,” she said. It was disclosed in court that a ‘head injury’ was cited as the cause of Mr Lynch’s death in the death certificate given to the grieving family.
Dr Cróna Gallagher offered the court’s continuous sympathies to Ms Donovan, who was present during the session. “I understand this has been ongoing for a particularly long period.”
At the point of Mr Lynch’s passing, Gardaí held the belief that Mr Lynch was engaged in a scuffle preceding his deliberate run over. The car implicated in the incident had been left abandoned at the Brookfield Close estate.