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Death of George Nkencho

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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 Gardaí, he did not have any criminal convictions.[4]

Death of George Nkencho
Date30 December 2020 (2020-12-30)
Time12:35pm (GMT)
LocationHartstown, Dublin, Ireland

Timeline

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Prior to the standoff with armed Gardaí, 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 Gardaí.[7][8] He was followed by twelve[citation needed] unarmed Gardaí, 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

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The circumstances and use of force regarding Nkencho's death were subsequently under investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), as is legally required when a member of the public is injured or killed by the Gardaí.[16][17]

 
Aid People Change Nigeria Charity in Dublin protesting against the death of Nkencho in Blanchardstown.

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 Gardaí 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 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 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 Gardaí 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 Gardaí that he had mental health issues, before she was ushered back inside by Gardaí. 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

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References

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  1. ^ Hussey, Sinéad (30 December 2020). "Man dies after being shot by gardaí in west Dublin". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  2. ^ MacNamee, Garreth (31 December 2020). "Man shot dead by gardaí in Clonee named locally as George Nkencho". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  3. ^ Gallagher, Coror (31 December 2020). "Video of fatal Garda shooting of man in front garden of Dublin house to be examined". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  4. ^ Gallagher, Conor (5 January 2021). "Gardaí investigate sending of racist letter to George Nkencho's family". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  5. ^ O'Brien, Cillian (31 December 2020). "Neighbours watched in horror as knife-wielding man lunged at gardai before being fatally shot by officer in Dublin". DublinLive.ie. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Investigators to examine video footage of fatal Garda shooting of man in Dublin". BreakingNews.ie. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  7. ^ Pollak, Sorcha (31 December 2020). "George Nkencho death: 'I just want justice for my brother'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  8. ^ O'Keeffe, Cormac (30 December 2020). "Probe under way after man fatally shot by gardaí". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  9. ^ Feehan, Conor (31 December 2020). "Knifeman is shot dead by gardai after a stand-off". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  10. ^ O'Brien, Cillian (31 December 2020). "Knifeman shot dead following Clonee standoff named locally as Gardai issue update". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  11. ^ O'Shea, Kerry (31 December 2020). "27-year-old man dies after being shot by police in Dublin, investigation underway". Irish Central. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  12. ^ Begley, Ian (31 December 2020). "Footage emerges as investigation launched into 'shocking events' that led to shooting dead of man by gardai". Extra.ie. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  13. ^ "George Nkencho: Witnesses sought after man shot by police". BBC News. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  14. ^ McConville, Marie Louise (1 January 2021). "Man who died after being shot by Gardaí in Dublin named". The Irish News. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  15. ^ Brayden, Kate (31 December 2020). "George Nkencho's family issue statement following traumatic Garda shooting". Hot Press. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  16. ^ "GSOC appeals for witnesses to garda shooting in Dublin". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  17. ^ Quann, Jack (31 December 2020). "GSOC investigation to open into 'traumatic' shooting in Clonee". Newstalk. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  18. ^ Byrne, Andrew (1 January 2021). "Objects hurled at Gardaí during protest". Dublin Live. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  19. ^ "George Nkencho: Protest outside garda station following Dublin shooting". Irish Examiner. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  20. ^ O'Loughlin, Ciara (31 December 2020). "'Justice for George' chanted by protesters after garda shooting". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  21. ^ Dwyer, Orla; Ryan, Órla (31 December 2020). "Crowds gather outside Dublin garda station over George Nkencho fatal shooting". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  22. ^ a b Mooney, John (3 January 2021). "Gardai 'had to shoot' George Nkencho under public safety protocols". The Times. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  23. ^ Mangan, Ian (31 December 2020). "Large crowds march through Blanchardstown shopping centre in protest of death of George Nkencho". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  24. ^ "George Nkencho protesters walk through Blanchardstown shopping centre and take knee in front of traffic". Irish Independent. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  25. ^ Ryan, Órla; MacNamee, Garreth (31 December 2020). "George Nkencho's family ask people not to share video of fatal shooting". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  26. ^ Helen McEntee TD [@HMcEntee] (31 December 2020). "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" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ Leo Varadkar [@LeoVaradkar] (31 December 2020). "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" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ Fetherstonhaugh, Neil (31 December 2020). "Justice Minister says shooting of George Nkencho is 'extremely upsetting' as family ask people not to share video". Sunday World. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  29. ^ Roderic O'Gorman TD [@rodericogorman] (31 December 2020). "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" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  30. ^ Malekmian, Shamim (31 December 2020). "George Nkencho: A Friend of Man Shot By Gardaí in Dublin Talks Exclusively to Hot Press". Hot Press. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  31. ^ Short, Eva (3 January 2021). "Gardaí "very concerned" by "lies" spread online about George Nkencho shooting". Buzz.ie. Archived from the original on 3 January 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  32. ^ Bracken, Ali (3 January 2021). "Garda worry over Nkencho shooting 'lies'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  33. ^ McCurry, Cate (4 January 2021). "Protests continue over shooting of George Nkencho". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  34. ^ McCurry, Cate (4 January 2021). "Protests continue over shooting of George Nkencho". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  35. ^ Wall, Eva (4 January 2021). "Protests against shooting of George Nkencho resume for 5th day". Extra.ie. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  36. ^ McCann, Debbie (3 January 2021). "Protests continue for third day after fatal gardai shooting of George Nkencho". Extra.ie. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  37. ^ Gallagher, Conor (5 January 2021). "George Nkencho's sister says she opened door to him before he was shot". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  38. ^ Cox, Aengus (21 June 2021). "Inquest into the death of George Nkencho adjourned". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  39. ^ Dwyer, Orla (21 June 2021). "George Nkencho inquest adjourned as demonstrators gather at RDS to 'stand in solidarity' with family". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  40. ^ O'Keefe, Cormac (4 December 2021). "Further delay expected in Nkencho inquest". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  41. ^ Gallagher, Conor (3 December 2021). "Gsoc investigation into shooting of George Nkencho delayed again". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  42. ^ Black, Rebecca (30 December 2021). "First anniversary of George Nkencho death marked with a candlelit walk". irishexaminer.com. Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  43. ^ Social, Affairs (19 June 2023). "File Sent to DPP over fatal shooting by gardai". irishtimes.com. Irish Times. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  44. ^ Bracken, Ali (27 August 2023). "DPP contacts garda watchdog on details of George Nkencho shooting probe". independent.ie. Irish Independent. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  45. ^ Reynolds, Paul (24 April 2024). "DPP directs no prosecution of garda who shot Nkencho". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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