Criminal proceedings are being considered after Mark Hennessy, who had abducted and killed a young female student, was shot dead by an armed garda.

Hennessy (40) was shot by a garda at Cherrywood Business Park, Co Dublin, on May 20 last. He had previously abducted Jastine Valdez (24) as she walked to her home in Co Wicklow, murdered her and dumped her body.

Family members including Mr Hennessy's parents yesterday attended the opening of an inquest into his death at Dublin Coroner's Court. The matter was referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc).

Yesterday, Senior Investigations Officer Nicholas Harden said he was seeking a six month adjournment to allow investigations to continue.

Mr Harden confirmed to coroner Dr Myra Cullinane that criminal proceedings were being contemplated and applied to the court for a copy of the post-mortem report.

"The investigation is ongoing, we are a seeking six-month adjournment to allow for further investigations and to meet our obligations under article 2," Mr Harden said.

Mark Hennessy's father Michael Hennessy stood in the witness box as evidence of how he had identified the body of his son was read out in court.

"On May 21, 2018, at 4.25pm in Dublin City Morgue, I formally identified the body of my son to Sergeant Georgina Reilly," Mr Hennessy said in his deposition.

A post-mortem was conducted by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan on May 21. The cause of death was given as a gunshot wound to the arm and chest.

Dr Cullinane adjourned the inquest for further mention on June 6, 2019, and extended condolences to the Hennessy family.

"It is never easy for anyone to come to this court and very difficult for you," the coroner told Michael Hennessy.

Irish Independent