Dublin: The inquest into the death of George Nkencho, who was fatally shot by a Garda officer in the courtyard of his family home in West Dublin five years ago, has heard that officers believed the use of lethal force was unavoidable.
Giving evidence on the sixth day of proceedings at the Dublin District Coroners’ Court, Gardaí involved in the incident said the shooting occurred after Mr Nkencho allegedly rushed at an officer with a knife, leaving them with no alternative but to use deadly force to protect life. A highly trained specialist Garda told the eight-member jury that Mr Nkencho attempted to stab him four times within a 30-second period. The officer also presented a photograph of the knife involved, described as approximately five inches in length.
The court heard that Gardaí were initially unaware the incident was unfolding outside Mr Nkencho’s family home, believing instead that he was moving in the surrounding area. Officers also said they did not notice members of Mr Nkencho’s family standing at the front door during the confrontation.
Mr Nkencho’s sister, Gloria, told the jury that she had informed Gardaí at the scene that her brother was unwell and had mental health difficulties.
The fatal shooting occurred on December 30, 2020, outside the family home on Manorfields Drive, Clonee, Dublin. The inquest heard that events at the property followed an earlier altercation at a nearby Eurospar supermarket in Hartstown, where Mr Nkencho was alleged to have attacked the store manager without provocation and threatened staff with a knife.
Mr Nkencho, the eldest of five siblings, was originally from Nigeria. His family has maintained that he was subjected to unnecessary force. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission investigated the incident, and the Director of Public Prosecutions later decided that no prosecution would be taken against the Garda involved.
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