- Opinion
- 12 Jun 24
The victim's family have asked the DPP to explain her decision to not prosecute any officers involved.
An inquest into the fatal shooting of George Nkencho by Gardaí has been adjourned to allow his family to get an explanation from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as to why no Garda will be prosecuted over his death.
Coroner Myra Cullinane has agreed to the further adjournment following a hearing on Tuesday at the Dublin District Coroner's Court. This follows confirmation that the Nkencho family were seeking to appeal the DPP's decision.
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) lead investigator Stuart Deguid told the court that the DPP had 56 days to provide reasons to the family for the decision.
This follows the decision made by the DPP which saw no criminal proceedings take place in the case following an extensive investigation by the GSOC into the fatal shooting. The Nkencho family has asked the DPP to explain this decision.
Dr Cullinane noted that if the family appealed the decision after studying the reasons, there could be a further process. She adjourned the inquest to October 4.
The victim's sister, Gloria Nkencho, attended the brief hearing. Earlier this month, she vowed that her family's "fight for justice" would continue despite the DPP's decision.
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In a statement, she expressed "hurt and disappointment" at how news of the decision had emerged and said the development had left them with "more questions than answers."
Campaigners last month staged a demonstration outside the Department of Justice in Dublin to demand the reverse of the DPP's decision.
Nkencho was 27 when he suffered fatal gunshot wounds outside of his home in west Dublin as a result of an incident that involved members of the Garda Armed Support Unit. The shooting took place on December 30, 2020.
His family claimed Nkencho was suffering from mental health issues for several months before his death and that the level of force used against him by gardaí was disproportionate.