Ireland Garda testifies bullets had 'no effect' on George Nkencho at inquest
Garda Peter Bernard told the inquest into the death of George Nkencho, 27, at Dublin District Coroner's Court that bullets which hit him in December 2020 appeared to have no effect. The inquest heard testimony about Nkencho being shot multiple times by the Armed Support Unit after he brandished a knife in Clonee, west Dublin.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court20 Jan
4 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports30 statements extracted from the articles
- whatNkencho's two sisters addressed the inquest and described seeing him lying outside their home after being tasered (irishtimes.com)
- whatGloria Nkencho told gardaí at the front door that he was her brother with mental health difficulties (irishtimes.com)
- whatShop workers and customers described seeing Nkencho punch an assistant manager at a Eurospar in Hartstown (irishtimes.com)
- whatNkencho pulled the knife out of his pocket and did not comply with directions to drop it (irishtimes.com)
- whatSgt Nestor did not remember hearing over the Tetra radio that Nkencho had mental health issues (irishtimes.com)
- whatGeorge Nkencho, 27, died outside his home in west Dublin in December 2020 after being shot multiple times by the Garda armed support unit (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGarda A and Garda B found Mr Nkencho surrounded by 10 Gardai at the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPepper spray deployed by Garda B appeared to have little effect on Mr Nkencho who got to his feet (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGarda A and Garda B found Mr Nkencho surrounded by 10 gardaí at the scene. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe jury were shown photos of the 22cm knife Mr Nkencho was holding. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPepper spray deployed by Garda B appeared to have little effect on Mr Nkencho. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA pathology report indicated Mr Nkencho had a gunshot entry wound in his back. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGarda A said the day of the incident was the first time he had discharged his weapon in an operational manner. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGarda B had never discharged his firearm outside of training. (irishtimes.com)
- whatNkencho punched a retail worker at Eurospar before the shooting. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatNkencho raised the knife above his head in a stabbing motion whenever anyone approached. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDr Siobhan Maguire said Nkencho had a Glasgow Coma scale of 3, meaning deeply unconscious. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatResuscitation attempts continued for 17 minutes before Nkencho was declared dead. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereGeorge Nkencho died outside his home in Clonee, west Dublin, in December 2020. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe ASU arrived as Nkencho reached his home on Manorfields Drive. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenNkencho died outside his home in West Dublin in December 2020 (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- weaponGarda A used a Heckler & Koch MP7 firearm to shoot Mr Nkencho (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe incident was subject of an independent criminal investigation by GSOC, now Fiosrú, which concluded in June 2023 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA decision was made not to pursue any criminal prosecution in relation to the shooting (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe incident was investigated by GSOC (now Fiosrú), which concluded in June 2023 with a file submitted to the DPP. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe incident was subject of an independent criminal investigation by GSOC, now Fiosrú. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGSOC concluded its investigation in June 2023 with submission of a file to the DPP. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe inquest is due to continue before a jury on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
- otherGarda A was granted anonymity but was visible to the coroner, jury and legal teams (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGarda A has been granted anonymity. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Jan2026'I couldn't believe it' - Garda says bullets had 'no effect' on George Nkencho
Testimony from Garda Peter Bernard and Tom McCarrick at the inquest, including Bernard's observation that bullets appeared to have no effect on Nkencho, details of the engagement with Nkencho who was brandishing a knife, and medical testimony about his condition at Connolly Hospital. The inquest also noted that GSOC concluded its investigation in June 2023 and the DPP decided not to pursue criminal prosecution.
victim, George Nkencho, 27, male, non-irish (judged from name)George Nkencho - 21 Jan2026Garda who shot George Nkencho says it was ‘absolutely necessary to use lethal force’
Inquest evidence from both firearms officers (Garda A and Garda B) describing the sequence of events leading to the shooting, including taser and pepper spray attempts, six shots fired, and the DPP's decision not to prosecute.
victim, George Nkencho, 27, male, non-irish (judged from name)George Nkenchosuspect, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, male, irish (judged from name) - 21 Jan2026Garda who shot George Nkencho tells court they feared being killed
Reports Garda A's testimony at the inquest, detailing the sequence of events including the taser, pepper spray, knife lunge, and six shots fired, as well as the prior GSOC investigation that concluded in June 2023 with no criminal prosecution.
victim, George Nkencho, 27, male, non-irish (judged from name)George Nkenchosuspect, Garda A, namedGarda A - 20 Jan2026George Nkencho continued to ‘swing wildly with knife’ after being shot, inquest hears
Inquest testimony from Sgt Peter Nestor and Garda Shane Gallagher describing the sequence of events at the Eurospar in Hartstown and at Manorfields Drive, plus testimony from Nkencho's sisters about their attempts to inform gardaí of his mental health issues.
victim, George Nkencho, 27, male, non-irish (judged from name)George Nkencho