Death of George Nkencho explained

Death of George Nkencho
Time:12:35pm
Timezone:GMT
Place:Hartstown, Dublin, Ireland

On 30 December 2020, the Garda Armed Support Unit shot 27-year-old George Nkencho in Clonee on the Dublin–Meath border, after graduated attempts to detain him failed. He had allegedly assaulted a shop staff member and threatened others with a knife.[1] [2] [3] Nkencho had been suffering from mental health issues in the preceding months and according to Irish: [[Garda Síochána|Gardaí]]|italic=no, he did not have any criminal convictions.[4]

Timeline

Prior to the standoff with armed Irish: Gardaí|italic=no, Nkencho was involved in an altercation in a Eurospar supermarket in Hartstown, where he assaulted a manager who received a broken nose which required him being taken to Connolly Hospital.[5] [6] Nkencho then produced a kitchen knife from his pocket and threatened staff and later the Irish: Gardaí|italic=no.[7] [8] He was followed by twelve unarmed Irish: Gardaí|italic=no, later backed up by members of the Armed Support Unit, who instructed him to drop the knife and then used tasers and pepper spray in attempts to disarm him.[9] [10] At 12:35pm, a member of the Armed Support Unit fired six shots at Nkencho outside his family home.[11] [12] [13] Nkencho received first aid at the scene from members of the Dublin Fire Brigade and paramedics and was taken to Connolly Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.[14] [15]

Aftermath

The circumstances and use of force regarding Nkencho's death were subsequently under investigation by the Irish: Garda Síochána|italic=no|nocat=y Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), as is legally required when a member of the public is injured or killed by the Irish: Gardaí|italic=no.[16] [17]

The morning after the fatal shooting, on 31 December 2020 (New Year's Eve), around 200 people gathered outside Blanchardstown Garda Station in a protest over the death of Nkencho, calling for those involved to be punished. A break away group became violent, with objects being hurled at Irish: Gardaí|italic=no and threats being made towards officers.[18] [19] [20] [21] Garda sources stressed to the media that these incidents had nothing to do with the Nkencho family or friends, and that they suspected a gang which has staged fights in Dublin city centre to be responsible for hijacking part of the demonstration.[22] Large crowds of protestors marched through Blanchardstown shopping centre on a busy New Year's Eve, when all non-essential businesses were to close at the end of the day, following the reimposition of full COVID-19 Level 5 lockdown restrictions.[23] [24]

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Irish: [[Tánaiste]] Leo Varadkar expressed their sympathies with the family of Nkencho on Twitter.[25] [26] [27] McEntee described the fatal shooting as "an extremely upsetting loss and a tragedy for his family" while the Irish: Tánaiste urged the public not to engage in "speculation".[28] Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O'Gorman also took to Twitter tweeting that he was "deeply saddened" upon hearing the news.[29] [30]

Following Nkencho's death, false allegations circulated online, claiming that Nkencho had 30 prior criminal convictions.[31] On 3 January, the Irish: Gardaí|italic=no released a statement stating its concern at what it called "lies being circulated widely online by fascists and racists" and confirming that Nkencho had no criminal convictions at all.[32]

Protests continued throughout the week.[33] [34] For a fifth day in a row on 4 January, crowds of up to 50 people gathered outside Blanchardstown Garda station and Dublin's Spire in O'Connell Street to protest over the shooting of Nkencho.[35] [36]

Garda sources informed the media that they feared a "stabbing or hostage situation" when Nkencho was outside his family home, and could not have known at that time whose home he was outside or his relationship to the occupants.[22] It was reported that Nkencho's sister had opened the door to him, told Irish: Gardaí|italic=no that he had mental health issues, before she was ushered back inside by Irish: Gardaí|italic=no. The deceased's three siblings were in the hallway when the shots were fired.[37]

Six months later, on 21 June 2021, an inquest into the death of Nkencho was opened in the Dublin coroner's court, before being adjourned for six months until December 2021, as the GSOC investigation remained ongoing.[38] A group of demonstrators gathered outside the RDS in support of the family members who attended the inquest opening.[39] By December 2021, it was reported that a further adjournment was sought at the coroner's court,[40] [41] as the GSOC investigation was "not yet complete".[42]

On 19 June 2023, the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) announced that the investigation into the fatal shooting of George Nkencho had concluded, and that a file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). [43] It was further reported in the Irish Independent on 27 August 2023, that the DPP had made contact with the GSOC seeking clarification on aspects of its probe into the fatal shooting of George Nkencho.[44]

On 24 April 2024, GSOC announced that the DPP had directed that there be no prosecution of Gardaí in relation to the death.[45]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Man dies after being shot by gardaí in west Dublin. RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Sinéad. Hussey. 30 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  2. News: Man shot dead by gardaí in Clonee named locally as George Nkencho. TheJournal.ie. Garreth. MacNamee. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  3. News: Video of fatal Garda shooting of man in front garden of Dublin house to be examined. The Irish Times. Coror. Gallagher. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  4. News: Gardaí investigate sending of racist letter to George Nkencho's family. The Irish Times. Conor. Gallagher. 5 January 2021. 5 January 2021.
  5. News: Neighbours watched in horror as knife-wielding man lunged at gardai before being fatally shot by officer in Dublin. DublinLive.ie. Cillian. O'Brien. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  6. News: Investigators to examine video footage of fatal Garda shooting of man in Dublin. BreakingNews.ie. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  7. News: George Nkencho death: 'I just want justice for my brother'. The Irish Times. Sorcha. Pollak. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  8. News: Probe under way after man fatally shot by gardaí. Irish Examiner. Cormac. O'Keeffe. 30 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  9. News: Knifeman is shot dead by gardai after a stand-off. Belfast Telegraph. Conor. Feehan. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  10. News: Knifeman shot dead following Clonee standoff named locally as Gardai issue update. Irish Mirror. Cillian. O'Brien. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  11. News: 27-year-old man dies after being shot by police in Dublin, investigation underway. Irish Central. Kerry. O'Shea. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  12. News: Footage emerges as investigation launched into 'shocking events' that led to shooting dead of man by gardai. Extra.ie. Ian. Begley. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  13. News: George Nkencho: Witnesses sought after man shot by police. BBC News. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  14. News: Man who died after being shot by Gardaí in Dublin named. The Irish News. Marie Louise. McConville. 1 January 2021. 1 January 2021.
  15. Web site: George Nkencho's family issue statement following traumatic Garda shooting. Hot Press. Kate. Brayden. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  16. News: GSOC appeals for witnesses to garda shooting in Dublin. RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  17. News: GSOC investigation to open into 'traumatic' shooting in Clonee. Newstalk. Jack. Quann. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  18. News: Objects hurled at Gardaí during protest. Dublin Live. Andrew. Byrne. 1 January 2021. 3 January 2021.
  19. News: George Nkencho: Protest outside garda station following Dublin shooting. Irish Examiner. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  20. News: 'Justice for George' chanted by protesters after garda shooting. Irish Independent. Ciara. O'Loughlin. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  21. News: Crowds gather outside Dublin garda station over George Nkencho fatal shooting. TheJournal.ie. Orla. Dwyer. Órla. Ryan. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  22. News: Gardai 'had to shoot' George Nkencho under public safety protocols. The Times. John. Mooney. 3 January 2021. 5 January 2021.
  23. News: Large crowds march through Blanchardstown shopping centre in protest of death of George Nkencho. Irish Mirror. Ian. Mangan. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  24. News: George Nkencho protesters walk through Blanchardstown shopping centre and take knee in front of traffic. Irish Independent. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  25. News: George Nkencho's family ask people not to share video of fatal shooting. TheJournal.ie. Órla. Ryan. Garreth. MacNamee. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  26. Helen McEntee TD. HMcEntee. 1344584936267919360. The events in Hartstown yesterday were extremely traumatic and my thoughts are with everyone involved. George Nkencho’s death is a tragedy, and I want to extend my sympathy to his family, friends and community and to all involved in yesterday’s events.. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  27. Leo Varadkar. LeoVaradkar. 1344612520175271936. My sympathies go to the family of the young man who lost his life in Clonee yesterday. Thoughts also with the Gardai and shop workers who were involved in the incident. I would also urge people, especially public representatives, not to add to social media speculation about the incident. That is unhelpful at this stage.. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  28. News: Justice Minister says shooting of George Nkencho is 'extremely upsetting' as family ask people not to share video. Sunday World. Neil. Fetherstonhaugh. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  29. Roderic O'Gorman TD. rodericogorman. 1344578659340988418. Deeply saddened by the tragedy that happened at Manorfields. My thoughts are with the family of the young man who was killed. The Garda Ombudsman (GSOC) are carrying out an independent investigation and it is really important to provide them with all relevant information.. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  30. Web site: George Nkencho: A Friend of Man Shot By Gardaí in Dublin Talks Exclusively to Hot Press. Hot Press. Shamim. Malekmian. 31 December 2020. 1 January 2021.
  31. News: Gardaí "very concerned" by "lies" spread online about George Nkencho shooting. Buzz.ie. Eva. Short. 3 January 2021. 4 January 2021. 3 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210103165637/https://www.buzz.ie/news/gardai-very-concerned-by-lies-spread-online-about-george-nkencho-shooting-409979. dead.
  32. News: Garda worry over Nkencho shooting 'lies'. Irish Independent. Ali. Bracken. 3 January 2021. 4 January 2021.
  33. News: Protests continue over shooting of George Nkencho. Irish Examiner. Cate. McCurry. 4 January 2021. 5 January 2021.
  34. News: Protests continue over shooting of George Nkencho. Belfast Telegraph. Cate. McCurry. 4 January 2021. 5 January 2021.
  35. News: Protests against shooting of George Nkencho resume for 5th day. Extra.ie. Eva. Wall. 4 January 2021. 5 January 2021.
  36. News: Protests continue for third day after fatal gardai shooting of George Nkencho. Extra.ie. Debbie. McCann. 3 January 2021. 5 January 2021.
  37. News: George Nkencho's sister says she opened door to him before he was shot. The Irish Times. Conor. Gallagher. 5 January 2021. 5 January 2021.
  38. News: Inquest into the death of George Nkencho adjourned. RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Aengus. Cox. 21 June 2021. 21 June 2021.
  39. News: George Nkencho inquest adjourned as demonstrators gather at RDS to 'stand in solidarity' with family. TheJournal.ie. Orla. Dwyer. 21 June 2021. 21 June 2021.
  40. Web site: Further delay expected in Nkencho inquest . irishexaminer.com . Irish Examiner . O'Keefe . Cormac . 4 December 2021 . 2 February 2022 .
  41. Web site: Gsoc investigation into shooting of George Nkencho delayed again . irishtimes.com . Irish Times . Gallagher . Conor . 3 December 2021 . 2 February 2022 .
  42. Web site: First anniversary of George Nkencho death marked with a candlelit walk . irishexaminer.com . Irish Examiner . Black . Rebecca . 30 December 2021 . 2 February 2022 .
  43. Web site: File Sent to DPP over fatal shooting by gardai . irishtimes.com . Irish Times. Affairs . Social . 19 June 2023 . 5 November 2023 .
  44. Web site: DPP contacts garda watchdog on details of George Nkencho shooting probe. independent.ie . Irish Independent. Ali . Bracken . 27 August 2023 . 5 November 2023 .
  45. Reynolds . Paul . 2024-04-24 . DPP directs no prosecution of garda who shot Nkencho . en.

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