Family's pain 'prolonged' with fifth inquest delay

The family of a Surrey Police officer who died on holiday say each delay in getting answers about her death "prolongs their pain", after her inquest was put back for a fifth time.

Hannah Byrne, 22, from Horley, died on the first night of her holiday in Corfu in September 2023 when she suffered a head injury falling from a rooftop.

An inquest into her death has been adjourned several times because the Greek investigation remains incomplete, her mother Sarah Warner said.

The Office of the Public Prosecutor in Corfu told the BBC the case file was currently at the procedural stage of the preliminary investigation and it was not authorised to disclose information.

Warner said: "It is incredibly difficult to keep facing these delays and the uncertainty that comes with them.

"We are left asking the same question we have asked for so long: when will this finally end?

"When will Hannah be allowed to rest in peace, and when will we, as her family, be able to begin grieving properly?"

Byrne's inquest was originally opened by West Sussex Coroner's Court just over two weeks after her death.

Warner said the family wanted answers, resolution and to be able to "move forward with the knowledge that everything possible has been done to establish the truth".

"Until then, each delay prolongs our pain and leaves us feeling stuck in limbo," she added.

But she said there had been "encouraging" recent developments, including the support of a lawyer with experience in international law and mutual legal assistance cases in what had been an "extremely complex and often confusing" process.

"For the first time in a long while, I feel we may be closer to getting some answers," she said.

The Office of the Public Prosecutor said: "Fully acknowledging the difficult position of Ms Byrne's family, we assure you that the present case is being treated with the requisite diligence and attention."

The spokesperson also expressed appreciation for assistance provided by UK authorities and underlined the importance of continued international cooperation "particularly in the field of criminal justice".

Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said his "heart went out" to Hannah's family.

He added that he "felt their frustration that the Greek police haven't investigated properly, and quickly".

Davey said the Lib Dems were "trying to change the law" to extend the victim's code - which sets out rights for victims - to families whose loved ones die abroad.

His party wanted to see policy changes at the Foreign Office, he said, adding: "We'd like a tougher approach from the Government."

A spokesperson for the coroner said working with grieving families was "of the utmost importance" in its work.

They confirmed the date for Byrne's inquest had been revised earlier this year, with a provisional date set for 14 July, and said they had been in regular contact with the family.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was in contact with Greek authorities and the UK coroner.

"Hannah's death is a tragedy and our thoughts are with her family and friends," a FCDO spokesperson said.

"Our consular staff are in regular contact with Hannah's family and we will continue to provide support."

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