LEFT IN LIMBO

‘Inexcusable’ delays as Gardai involved in George Nkencho’s fatal shooting unaware if they’ll be charged three years on

George Nkencho, 27, was shot and killed by the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) outside his family home in Clonee, Dublin on December 30, 2020

• Published: 7:00, 2 Jan 2024

GARDAI involved in the fatal shooting of a young black man three years ago still don’t know if they will be charged with his death.

The Irish Sun can reveal that officers are still in the dark over whether they will face prosecution for George Nkencho’s killing.

Nkencho, 27, was shot and killed by the Garda Armed Support Unit (ASU) outside his family home in Clonee, Dublin on December 30, 2020.

The Garda watchdog GSOC, which had been probing the incident, previously said the criminal investigation was complete and a file was being forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

But some three years after the tragic incident which led to widespread protests and demonstrations, gardai and George’s family are still none the wiser.

A source close to the case explained: “The fact that this is still hanging over the heads of everyone involved at this stage, three years on, is a joke.

“The gardai involved have faced these accusations ever since and have still not had a chance to give their side of the story in court.

“And the Nkencho family have had to endure this since 2020, with little or no updates from the authorities.

“It’s an appalling situation. There is an onus on prosecutions involving members of An Garda Siochana to be expedited.

“The fact that we are still waiting to find out what happened after three years is inexcusable.”

In June 2023, George’s sister Gloria Nkencho said in a heartbreaking statement that the DPP “development brings us a sense of relief and hope, as it signifies the potential for criminal charges to be brought against the officers responsible for George’s death”.

She added that the family believes those accountable for his death should “face the full extent of the law”.

At the time, Gardai said they felt threatened when George – who had struggled with mental health issues – allegedly refused to put down a knife, and were trying to ensure he did not get inside the house.

They added that cops on the scene “implemented a graduated response where the use of less-lethal force options was initially administered in an effort to resolve the incident.

“The less-lethal use of force options were unsuccessful.”

However, the Nkencho family have said that they want “potential bias” in terms of racial discrimination to be taken into account by the DPP.