The family of George Nkencho has said that those accountable for the Dubliner's death "should face the full extent of the law" after GSOC confirmed it has completed it's criminal investigation.
The Garda Ombudsman forwarded the file to the Officer of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) today after finishing an independent criminal investigation into the death of Mr Nkencho. The 27-year-old was shot dead by an armed garda outside his family home in west Dublin on December 30, 2020.
A report from GSOC said it sought to complete the investigation as quickly as possible as it was "acutely aware that the events of December 30, 2020, and their consequences have been extremely traumatic to the Nkencho family". The report said it had identified some areas of live operational risk for the gardai.
The review added: "GSOC will elaborate publicly on these matters in the form of a systemic recommendation, and in the context of its broader undertaking to make the detail of the investigation publicly available when other statutory processes permit."
Read more: Ex-TD calls for public trial of officers involved in George Nkencho shooting
Gloria Nkencho, sister of Mr Nkencho, said the family had "eagerly awaited this moment" following the completion of the investigation. In a statement, Ms Nkencho said: "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."
Ms Nkencho went on to say that the family wanted to emphasise the importance of addressing the issue of racial bias within law enforcement. She added that the experiences of racial discrimination faced by minority communities in Ireland must not be disregarded.
Ms Nkencho also said it is "imperative to acknowledge" the "insidious influence of racial bias that tainted the initial media coverage of George's case". She said: "We cannot ignore the manner in which journalists, including those from the national broadcaster RTE, portrayed our family's arduous struggle for justice".
Mr Nkencho said: "Furthermore, it is essential to recognise the impact of George's mental health struggles. As a society, we must acknowledge the need for proper training resources to equip our law enforcement agencies in effectively handling individuals experiencing mental heath crises.
"The loss of Geoge's life serves as a reminder that urgent reforms are required to ensure that future encounters prioritise de-escalation tactics and provide compassionate support for vulnerable individuals."
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