Ireland Crime

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.

Headline only. The garda who fired the shots says he 'had no choice'. The article body is empty template code.

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.

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.

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.

Emmanuel Nkencho's inquest evidence detailing prior gardaí visits to the family home, his account of the shooting, and witness footage from Alan O'Reilly showing the confrontation at 15 Manorfields Drive.

Day 3 of the inquest heard testimony from Garda Desmond Mulvihill about the standoff, the use of tasers, and the shooting, and from Sergeant Deirdre Dempsey about mental health information being logged on the CAD system at 12.26pm.

Second day of the inquest; testimony from eyewitnesses Richard Desay, Eurospar manager Niall Kinahan, postmistress Martina Shiels, and football coach Gav Pritchard about events on 30 December 2020, including Nkencho's shop assault and his interaction with gardaí in Cherryfield.

Adds an account from an off-licence employee that he feared for his life when Nkencho pulled out a knife. The body text is template code and contains no other details.

Inquest testimony from Eurospar staff (Wayne Swords, Margaret Armstrong, Maria Beggs) and Nkencho's mother Blessing Nkencho describing the assault, his mental state after a 2014 car crash, and the Gardaí's pursuit; inquest opened by Dr Myra Cullinane before a 12-member jury, expected to last two weeks.

Inquest evidence from 14 January 2026: witness Richard Desay says Nkencho waved a large knife at gardaí; other witnesses, including the Eurospar manager and a postmistress, describe his behaviour before the shooting; the family say the force was disproportionate.

Reports the third day of the inquest, with evidence from Garda Desmond Mulvihill and Sgt Deirdre Dempsey about the taser use, the shooting, and garda radio communications. Adds that the DPP directed no prosecution and that the family claim the force was disproportionate.

Adds evidence from the fourth day of the inquest on 16 January 2026: Emmanuel Nkencho's account of his sister's attempts to explain the mental health issues, the brother's account that he saw the shooting, the showing of public video footage to the jury, the Garda counsel's statement on the number of shots and the taser attempts, and eyewitness testimony.

Adds evidence from gardaí Sgt Peter Nestor and Garda Shane Gallagher about feeling threatened by Nkencho's knife, and evidence from his sisters about his mental health and earlier contact with gardaí. The inquest was adjourned to continue on Wednesday.

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.

Reports that the inquest, originally targeted for November 2025, will be delayed to early 2026 due to the volume of documentation (252 witness statements plus a Fiosrú report) still under review by An Garda Síochána. The coroner adjourned the hearing to 12 September 2025.

DPP decision not to prosecute confirmed at Dublin District Coroner's Court; inquest adjourned to 16 May 2025; Fiosrú application to be nominated as interested person pending ruling.

Reports the DPP's decision not to direct any prosecution of gardaí involved, and that GSOC has notified the family of their right to a summary of reasons and to request a review.

Reports the DPP's decision not to prosecute the gardaí involved, the family's intention to appeal, and the Gsoc investigation history. No existing case covers this 2020 shooting.

Reports the DPP decision that the gardaí who shot George Nkencho will not be prosecuted. The article text is empty template code, so the only usable content is the headline.

Reports the DPP's decision that a Garda who shot Nkencho will not be prosecuted, the family's plan to appeal, and GSOC's notice of their right to a summary of reasons and a review.

Reports the DPP's decision not to prosecute gardaí over the 2020 fatal shooting, based on a GSOC investigation file. No existing case in the list matches this incident.

Reports the DPP's decision not to prosecute any garda over the shooting, following GSOC's criminal investigation. Adds that the family is disappointed and intends to appeal, and that GSOC has notified them of their right to a summary of reasons and a review.

Reports the coroner's court adjournment on 14 December 2023. The DPP had not yet decided on criminal prosecution of gardaí, and GSOC's file had been sent to the DPP on 9 June. The inquest was adjourned to June 11, 2024.

Reports that GSOC has completed its investigation and sent a file to the DPP on whether a Garda ASU member should be charged; the DPP's direction is awaited. Also reports GSOC's finding of operational risk for An Garda Síochána and planned procedural and training changes.

Reports that the GSOC draft report is complete and under review, with a two-year enquiry including forensics, ballistics and input from policing experts outside Ireland. TDs criticised the delay in Dáil and the Minister for Justice responded. Gardaí have identified procedural and training issues to be updated in anticipation of GSOC findings.