Death of George Nkencho

[4] Prior to the standoff with armed Gardaí, Nkencho was involved in an altercation in a Eurospar supermarket in Hartstown, where he assaulted a manager who received a broken nose which required him being taken to Connolly Hospital.

[7][8] He was followed by twelve[citation needed] unarmed Gardaí, later backed up by members of the Armed Support Unit, who instructed him to drop the knife and then used tasers and pepper spray in attempts to disarm him.

[14][15] The circumstances and use of force regarding Nkencho's death were subsequently under investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), as is legally required when a member of the public is injured or killed by the Gardaí.

[16][17] The morning after the fatal shooting, on 31 December 2020 (New Year's Eve), around 200 people gathered outside Blanchardstown Garda Station in a protest over the death of Nkencho, calling for those involved to be punished.

[18][19][20][21] Garda sources stressed to the media that these incidents had nothing to do with the Nkencho family or friends, and that they suspected a gang which has staged fights in Dublin city centre to be responsible for hijacking part of the demonstration.

[42] On 19 June 2023, the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) announced that the investigation into the fatal shooting of George Nkencho had concluded, and that a file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).