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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
John Hand

George Nkencho family react as GSOC sends file to DPP over fatal garda shooting

The family of George Nkencho say GSOC's decision to send a file on his fatal shooting by a Garda to the Director of Public Prosecutions brings them a "sense of relief and hope".

The DPP will now examine the file on the probe and will decide if the garda who shot Mr Nkencho will face any prosecution.

Mr Nkencho, 27, was killed outside his west Dublin home in December 2020 after being shot multiple times by members of a Garda armed support unit while allegedly brandishing a knife.

Read More: Gardai 'blowing into breathalysers themselves and recording it as a checkpoint'

The Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission confirmed that it has completed its investigation and sent its file to the DPP.

Mr Nkencho’s sister Gloria said: "This development brings us a sense of relief and hope as it signifies the potential for criminal charges to be brought against the officers responsible for George's death.

Gloria Nkencho, sister of George outside Leinster house (Gary Ashe)

"Our family firmly believes that those accountable for George's untimely passing should face the full extent of the law.

"We are encouraged by the prospect of a thorough examination of the evidence by the DPP and we implore them to carefully consider the strength of the investigation team's findings.

"It is our sincere hope that the DPP will proceed with the utmost diligence and bring forth the appropriate criminal charges."

It is not known if there is any recommendation from GSOC on whether to prosecute or not.

Mr Nkencho was shot dead outside his Clonee home after a stand-off with armed gardai and he refused to put away a kitchen knife on December 30, 2020.

Shortly beforehand, he had assaulted a shop assistant at a nearby Eurospar store. His family say he was suffering from mental health issues for several months.

The house where George Nkencho was shot dead in Clonee, west Dublin (Mick O'Neill)

Today, his family said that racial bias tainted the initial media coverage following George's death.

Sister Gloria added: "We cannot ignore the manner in which journalists portrayed our family's arduous struggle for justice.

"The impact of inaccurate reporting fuelled by leaks from An Garda Siochana continues to shape the prevailing narrative."

She also expressed the family's "profound disappointment in the political response, or rather the lack thereof."

She continued: "It is disheartening to witness the major political parties in the State, who should have been beacons of support and solidarity, fail to stand beside our family in our relentless quest for justice.

George Nkencho's mother Blessing (Niall Carson/PA Wire)

"The glaring absence underscores the impression within marginalised communities that members of An Garda Siochana can operate with impunity, even in the aftermath of such a heart-wrenching tragedy.

"We also raise valid concerns about the potential role of racial bias in shaping the decision of politicians to withhold public support.

"It is impossible to overlook the question: Would the response have been different if the victim had been a white middle class young man from the leafy suburbs of South County Dublin?"

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