The garda who shot dead the man who abducted and killed Jastine Valdez last year will not face criminal charges.
Mark Hennessy kidnapped and murdered the 24-year-old student as she walked to her home in Co Wicklow in May last year.
He then dumped her body off Puck’s Castle Lane in south county Dublin.
The case was investigated by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
A file was sent to the DPP, who has decided the garda was not to be prosecuted.
The garda and Garda Headquarters have been informed of the decision.
Hennessy abducted Ms Valdez as she walked to her home in Enniskerry on the evening of Saturday 19 May last year.
The 40-year old then strangled her and dumped her body on land in Rathmichael.
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When the student was reported missing by her family, gardaí searched for her and the father-of-two.
They found Hennessy at 8pm the following night in the Cherrywood Business Park.
He was sitting in his car. He had a Stanley knife and had wounds on his neck and arm consistent with self-harm.
An armed garda who came upon him shot him dead.
A note found in the car had the words "Puck's Castle", where Jastine's body was subsequently found, and the word "sorry".
One shot was fired and the post-mortem by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan established the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the arm and chest.
The killing of Hennessy was investigated by GSOC.
Senior Investigations Officer Nicholas Harden told the inquest that criminal proceedings were being contemplated and the inquest was adjourned to allow the investigation continue
A file was sent to the DPP, who has now directed that the garda not face any criminal charges.
The inquest into the death of Hennessy is due to resume tomorrow.
Read more:
Man shot by gardaí searching for missing woman dies
Body found in thick gorse near former golf course
Disappearance of Jastine Valdez
