Fifteen months of “delayed justice” for Jökulsárlón victim

Shelagh Donov­an.

Shelagh Donov­an. Photo: Michael Boyd

The husband of the Canadian woman who was run over and killed by an amphibious tour vehicle at Iceland’s famous Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in August 2015 has written to Iceland’s Home Affairs Minister to complain about the slow progress made in the case.

“Fifteen months ago a homicide occurred at Jökulsárlón and the authorities responsible in Iceland have yet to decide what – if any – charge will be laid,” writes Michael Boyd to Icelandic Minister for Home Affairs Ólöf Nordal.

MORE: “This is about some measure of justice for my dead wife”

Boyd’s wife, Shelagh Donovan, was just 59 years old when she was pinned to the ground by the rear wheel of a reversing amphibious tour vehicle, while visiting the famous site with her husband and son. She was killed instantly.

Photo: Iceland Monitor/RAX

“We were advised that the police report was completed at the end of April 2016, but sat in the Local Commissioner’s office until 28 May 2016, at which point it was sent to the District Prosecutor’s office. No action was taken on this file in the District Prosecutor’s office until we recently learned that the file was sent back to the Local Commissioner’s office on or around 14 November 2016,” Boyd writes.

“I am asking for myself and my family if you will investigate as to why it is taking your authorities so long to determine if charges will be laid in the death of my wife,” the letter to Minister Nordal concludes. Boyd also wishes to know which authority is competent to act in this matter and when a determination will be made.

Michael Boyd with the couple's three children.

Michael Boyd with the couple's three children. Photo: Michael Boyd

“In civilized countries, I believe there is a widely known expression: justice delayed is justice denied.”

According to authorities, the case is now with the Icelandic State Public Prosecutor, whose task it now is to decide whether or not the South Iceland police or the District Prosecutor has the power to press charges in this case.

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