'He should be alive today' - Family of George Nkencho call for public inquiry

A candlelit walk has taken place to mark the first anniversary of the death of George Nkencho. 

The 27-year-old died outside his Dublin home in December 2020 after being shot multiple times by members of a Garda armed support unit while allegedly brandishing a knife. 

He was suffering from mental health issues at the time. 

Mr Nkencho’s death is the subject of an investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) which is not yet complete.

A walk took place in Blanchardstown village yesterday evening (December 31) finishing at the local Garda station where speeches were heard by his sister Gloria, TD Bríd Smith and former TD Ruth Coppinger.

In a statement on the first anniversary of his death, the Nkencho family described a “catastrophic year”. 

“What happened to George should never have happened. 

“Whatever George did, he should be alive today,” they said. 

They also expressed disappointment that the GSOC investigation has not completed and called for a public inquiry into the killing.

“From the outset, our family has called for a public inquiry that would have the transparency, resources and power to get to the truth of what happened and why George was brutally shot dead within minutes on our doorstep, rather than the talking he so clearly needed,” he said.

“This is the first black person to be killed by the Gardaí.

“How this is investigated and dealt with will set the tone for how Gardaí deal with vulnerable people or minorities.

“If the Gardaí responsible for the death of our son and brother aren’t held to account, it will have repercussions for how minorities view the Irish state and police.”