The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has decided that there will be no criminal prosecutions arising out of the death of Donna Cleary (22), a mother of one, who was shot dead at a house party last year, the Dublin Coroner's Court heard yesterday.
Ms Cleary's father, Peter, expressed his dismay at the decision and asked the court if the family had the right to appeal.
In response, coroner Dr Brian Farrell adjourned yesterday's case briefly to consult Det Insp Walter O'Sullivan of Coolock Garda station, who had informed the court of the DPP's decision.
When he returned, Dr Farrell said he needed to see the file on the case and would correspond with Ms Cleary's family once he had done so in an effort to explain the situation to them.
"That's the best I can do at the moment," he said.
Ms Cleary was shot dead shortly after 2.30am on March 5th, 2006, at a house on Adare Green, Coolock, where she had been attending a 40th birthday party.
Two days after Ms Cleary's death, one of the chief suspects arrested in relation to her death, Dwayne Foster (24), died in Garda custody.
Dr Farrell also said that the full inquest into Ms Cleary's death would take place on September 6th, adding that he would need to identify the witnesses who would be required for the hearing.
Ms Cleary was shot after a group of up to four men were refused entry to the house at Adare Green where the party was under way.
Six people were arrested in relation to the shooting and files were sent to the DPP.
Mr Foster, who was known to gardaí, was arrested along with four others at a house in Kildare less than 24 hours after the shooting but died in custody.
Two men arrested for questioning were released without charge after challenging their detention as unlawful in the High Court.