Two sisters of George Nkencho - Grateful and Gloria - have told the inquest into his death that their brother had been experiencing mental health issues in the months leading up to his death.
The 27-year-old suffered fatal gunshot wounds during an incident involving members of the Garda Armed Support Unit outside his family home at Manorfields Drive, Clonee, Co Dublin on 30 December 2020.
Grateful Nkencho said that George developed mental health issues as an adult and that the family had tried to help him.
The family said that in June 2020, George had called gardaí believing that he was hearing voices and that his family were harming him.
The inquest heard that George's family were nothing but loving and supportive throughout and had sought medical help for him.
Grateful told the inquest that George was "not on medication" and that to the best of her knowledge he was "not on drugs".
George looked 'stunned' and 'in pain'
She told coroner Dr Myra Cullinane that she saw her brother outside the front door and he was lying on the ground and that she made eye contact with him. She said he looked "stunned" and "in pain".
She remembered George pulling taser wires off his body, that she never saw him stand up and she recalled a female garda pepper spray her brother.
Grateful also said she recalled George had a "small pocket knife in his hand".
Ronan Kennedy senior counsel for An Garda Síochána asked did anyone mention afterwards that it was in fact a kitchen knife. Grateful Nkencho replied they did not.
George's other sister Gloria Nkencho said she recalled shouting to gardaí that George is her brother "he is sick, we are trying to get him help" adding that they "definitely must have heard me".
She also told the inquest that she saw a guard come behind George and give him "a forceful kick on the flat of his back".
She was ordered inside by gardaí and complied with the commands.
Gloria said afterwards she recalled two detectives come inside the family home. They asked if George was ok. She said they were told "he was threatening" in response.
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George had been 'hearing voices'
Gloria described her brother as normally "quiet" but that he had been "hearing voices, was paranoid and became distant" after he was involved in a car accident in 2015.
The family believed George was suffering from PTSD. His sisters said they believed he did not drink alcohol nor was on medication but said that he would lose his temper from time to time.
Gloria said the family had been seeking help for George. In June 2020 gardaí had called to the house after George called them saying that he was afraid of his family.
She recalled that gardaí gave the family advice about how to seek further help in the future and what resources were available.
The inquest later heard that George missed two separate visits from members of a mental health team who came to talk to him.
She said George was normally a peaceful, friendly guy but at times he would get paranoid and upset. She said the family were aware of his triggers and were normally able to calm him down.
Garda heard clear taser warning being issued
Sergeant Peter Nestor was on the scene that day and recalled seeing George walking normally at first towards Manorfields Drive.
Mr Nestor said he saw George holding a knife and taking it out of his pocket.
He told the inquest that George was acting "angrily and aggressive" towards him, and that at one point he lunged at him, and "this left him in no doubt" that his life was in danger and he was concerned for the safety of members of the public.
He followed Mr Nkencho home and heard armed gardaí repeatedly shout directions "drop the knife" "Taser, Taser" and "Spray, Spray" at various points but that George ignored their commands.
Sgt Nestor said he heard a clear taser warning being issued, and after the taser was discharged he recalled George got straight back up and he started swinging his arm wildly with the knife in his hand, and that he "lunged" at the two armed gardaí.
"He was trying to stab them, he was trying to kill them. I’ve no doubt about that," Sgt Nestor told the court.
Mr Nestor said he saw females at the front door, which he said was only slightly ajar, and that he roared at them to get back inside for their own safety.
A video recorded at the scene by Garda Shane Gallagher on his own mobile phone was also played to the jury. The phone was attached to the front of his stab vest.
George was visible at points in what appeared to be a loud, noisy and chaotic scene.
Several gunshots were heard on the recording, which prompted some members of the Nkencho family to leave the court.
Garda Gallagher also told the inquest that he was also in fear for his own life after he saw George pull out a knife.
Mr Gallager said he recalled George ‘’squeezing the knife very tightly’’ and said that Geroge Nkencho ignored repeated directions to drop it.
The inquest continues tomorrow.
