Criminal proceedings will be brought against a US-based "right-to-die" activist in relation to an assisted suicide in Dublin in 2002 as soon as he is extradited to Ireland, an inquest has heard.
Sergeant Seamus Finn of Donnybrook Garda station told Dublin City Coroner's Court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) "has directed that criminal proceedings be taken against a named individual".
Sgt Finn said the papers are currently in the hands of the American legal authorities.
"He has to be extradited to Ireland in order that criminal proceedings be brought."
Gardaí have provided the US authorities with the documentation in order to facilitate an extradition, Sgt Finn said. "The correct papers are in the hands of the American legal authorities."
An American 'right-to-die' activist, the Rev George Exoo, and an assistant are understood to have travelled to Ireland and to have been present when Rosemary Toole Gilhooly committed suicide in a rented house in Donnybrook in January 2002. The men returned to the US a few days later.
Mr Exoo has denied assisting in the suicide, but has admitted he was present at the time of Ms Gilhooly's death. He is believed to have been involved in assisting numerous suicides in the US.
Garda detectives travelled to West Virginia in 2002 to interview Mr Exoo in connection with the death.
Ms Gilhooly is understood to have paid $2,500 for Mr Exoo and his assistant to cover the cost of hotels, flights and other expenses. Garda investigators have studied her computer records and have liaised with the FBI.
Ms Toole Gilhooly (49), suffered from depression but did not have a physical terminal illness at the time of her death. It is believed that she died after placing a plastic bag over her head and inhaling helium gas through a tube. Mr Exoo could face 14 years in prison if he is convicted.
Sgt Finn said he had been in touch with Ms Toole Gilhooly's family and they were aware of the current situation.
Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell adjourned the inquest to October 27th pending the criminal proceedings.
Last June, the High Court overturned bequests Ms Toole Gilhooly had made to a Canadian 'right-to-die' organisation in her will.
Three executors had challenged the bequest to the Compassionate Chaplaincy Foundation Ltd in Berkley, West Virginia and the Last Right Publications in Victoria, Canada.
The court found these were not charitable donations in Irish succession law.
Additional reporting: PA