A garda who was at the scene when George Nkencho was fatally shot, has told an inquest into his death, that the deceased was repeatedly told to drop a knife he was carrying, which appeared to make him angrier and more aggressive.
Garda Desmond Mulvihill, then attached to Blanchardstown Garda station, said he had been following George Nkencho in his garda vehicle at a safe distance after he left the Eurospar in Hartstown.
On the 3rd day of the inquest into the death of George Nkencho, three separate statements made by Garda Mulvihill were read into the record. In his first statement, the garda said he had been stationed opposite the Hartstown shopping centre after the emergency calls came through that there had been an incident involving a male in the shop.
Garda Mulvihill outlined how he had previously had 'dealings' with Mr Nkencho related to his mental health and that he knew his face but that he did not recall his name.
Garda Mulvihill said as he was walking along Cherryfield Park, George Nkencho was repeatedly instructed by gardaí to put down a knife he was carrying - but he did not. There were members of public nearby and they were told by gardaí to get indoors for their safety.
He observed that George Nkencho looked angry and agitated and continued walking towards 15 Manorfields Drive. Garda Mulhivill said he suspected that may have been Mr Nkencho’s home from previous dealings with him and that he shouted this out - but not over the Tetra radio channel, the garda communications channel.
He said Mr Nkencho continually ignored commands and firm instructions to drop the knife, growing increasingly violent and aggressive and he brandished a knife in the air with his right hand.
He then saw the front door of 15 Manorfields drive being opened and two females and one male came out and began shouting at the doorway. Garda Mulvihill said he could not make out what they were saying at the time.
The three people were ordered by the two-armed gardaí to get back inside for their own safety and they complied with the instructions. Mr Nkencho was then observed swinging the knife at gardaí and shouting.
He then heard one of the armed members shout, ‘Taser, Taser’ and Mr Nkencho was tasered and this appeared to have no effect on him, who he said continued to swing the knife erratically. He was tasered a second time but did not let go of the knife and got back up on his feet raising the knife towards the two gardaí. On this occasion Garda Mulvihill said it was lifted higher, possibly towards head height.
Garda Mulvihill said he then heard a bang followed by another, which he then realised were gun shots. He also heard more shots but couldn’t recall how many as he was ‘in shock’ by now.
He said George fell to the ground and dropped the knife, and he witnessed members of the armed support unit administering emergency medical assistance to George Nkencho.
Senior Counsel, Eanna Mulloy, for the Nkencho family asked Garda Mulvihill to clarify if he heard what the three family members shouted at the doorway.
The garda said he couldn't make out what they were saying.
‘’Did you not hear them say our brother has mental health issues?’’ Mr Mulloy asked.
‘No’ said Garda Mulvihill in response. He later clarified that the scene was loud and noisy and it was difficult to hear what was said and it was only afterwards he realised they were the family of Mr Nkencho.
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Counsel for An Garda Síochána, Ronan Kennedy SC, also questioned Garda Mulvihill around the events that had developed very quickly.
‘’How concerned were you for the safety of yourself, two garda colleagues and members of the public at that time?’
‘’Very’’ replied Garda Mulvihill. ‘’I was terrified. I hadn’t been in something like that before. I was very junior’’ he said, adding that he was only qualified as a garda for two years. Mr Kennedy said it was a ‘’shocking event to witness’’.
As he concluded his evidence, Garda Mulvihill said that he had never seen taser and firearms used before.
The inquest continues tomorrow.
