Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1032Fatal shooting (police use of force) · Co. Dublin · 30 Dec 2020

Date for full inquest into fatal shooting of George Nkencho confirmed

George Nkencho, a 27-year-old man whose family is originally from Nigeria, was fatally shot by two members of the Garda Armed Support Unit outside his family home in Clonee, Co Dublin, on 30 December 2020 during a stand-off in which he was armed with a kitchen knife following an alleged assault at a nearby Eurospar store. He was pronounced dead at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, and a postmortem found he died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. The family's appeal of the Director of Public Prosecutions' no-prosecution decision was unsuccessful, and the two ASU members have been granted anonymity. Chief coroner Myra Cullinane has fixed 13 January 2026 as the start date for the full inquest, expected to last around two weeks and hear from 50 to 60 witnesses, with a further hearing on 23 October to determine its scope.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • George Nkencho, 27, suffered fatal gunshot wounds during a stand-off with members of the Garda Armed Support Unit in which he was armed with a kitchen knife.
  • The tense situation arose after an alleged assault of a shop assistant at a nearby Eurospar store.
Where
The shooting took place outside his family home at Manorfields Drive, Clonee, Co Dublin, and he was pronounced dead at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown.
When
The shooting occurred on 30 December 2020.
Cause
A postmortem revealed he died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso.
Investigation
The family's appeal of the DPP's no-prosecution decision was unsuccessful, and two ASU members have been granted anonymity.
In court
  • Chief coroner Myra Cullinane fixed 13 January 2026 as the start date for the full inquest, expected to last around two weeks with 50 to 60 witnesses.
  • A further hearing is set for 23 October for all parties including Fiosrú to make submissions on the scope of the inquest.
Other details
  • His family, originally from Nigeria, called for a wide examination of policing issues and whether his death was linked to racial profiling.
  • His family claims he was suffering from mental health issues for several months before his death and that the level of force used by gardaí was disproportionate.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGeorge Nkencho was 27 years old. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe suffered fatal gunshot wounds. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe incident involved members of the Garda Armed Support Unit. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA stand-off developed between gardaí and the deceased, who was armed with a kitchen knife. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe tense situation arose after an alleged assault of a shop assistant at a nearby Eurospar store. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe shooting took place outside his family home at Manorfields Drive, Clonee, Co Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe was pronounced dead at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe shooting occurred on 30 December 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causePostmortem results revealed he died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe full inquest is set to begin on 13 January 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe inquest is expected to last around two weeks. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMyra Cullinane is the chief coroner for Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe coroner received a submission from An Garda Síochána on the scope of the inquest. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe family was allowed until 17 October to file their own submission on the scope. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA further hearing is set for 23 October for all parties including Fiosrú to make submissions on scope. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtAround 50 to 60 witnesses are expected to give evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHis family called for a wide examination of policing issues and whether his death was linked to racial profiling. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHis family come originally from Nigeria. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHis family claims he was suffering from mental health issues for several months before his death. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHis family claims the level of force used by gardaí was disproportionate. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Sep2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Date for full inquest into the fatal shooting of George Nkencho confirmed

    Confirms 13 January 2026 start date for the full inquest; scope still undetermined; 240 statements disclosed with nine documents outstanding; 50–60 witnesses expected; two ASU members granted anonymity; family's appeal of DPP's no-prosecution decision was unsuccessful.

    victim, George Nkencho, 27, male, non-irish (judged from name)George Nkenchosuspectsuspect