George Nkencho, 27, died on December 30 after being shot by gardai during an incident in Clonee near the Meath - Dublin border.
"At approximately 12:15 pm, today 30th December 2020 Gardaí responded to reports of a public order incident involving a male, in his late twenties, armed with a knife at Hartstown Shopping Centre," gardai said in a statement.
"During an incident at the EuroSpar business premises in Hartstown Shopping Centre a male staff member received facial injuries and is currently receiving medical attention in Connolly Memorial Hospital.
"Subsequently a second public order incident was reported at the Post Office in the Hartstown Shopping Centre.
"Uniform, unarmed Gardaí responded to the scene and observed a male in possession of a knife. The male continued to threaten members of the public and unarmed Gardaí with the knife.
"Gardai followed the male on foot and in vehicles from the Hartstown Shopping Centre towards Manorsfields Drive, Dublin 15. During this period Gardaí were engaging with the male and encouraging him to drop the weapon.
"Members of the Armed Support Unit arrived at a scene in Manorfields Drive, Dublin 15. The Armed Support Unit were also threatened with a knife and implemented a graduated response where the use of less-lethal force options (taser and OC spray) was initially administered in an effort to resolve the incident. The less-lethal use of force options were unsuccessful.
"At approximately 12:35 pm a member of the Armed Support Unit discharged a number of shots from his official firearm shooting the male.
"The male was treated at the scene by Garda Armed Support Unit paramedics and Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics and transferred to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown.
"The male was pronounced dead at Connolly Memorial Hospital.
"The incident was referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) under Section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005.
"GSOC are investigating the fatal shooting at Manorsfields Drive.
"An Garda Síochána are investigating the incidents at Hartstown Shopping Centre and the events leading to Manorsfields Drive.
"A state Post Mortem will take place tomorrow 31st December 2020 at 11 am.
"Both investigations are continuing concurrently in line with the Memorandum of Understanding, Protocols, and Agreement on Operational Matters between The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána are appealing to any person
- who was in the Eurospar, Post Office or general vicinity of Hartstown Shopping Centre at approximately 12:15 pm today 30th December 2020, or
- who were in the vicinity of Cherryfield and Manorsfield Estates, Dublin 15 between 12 midday and 12:35 pm
- any person who may have CCTV or other video footage of these incidents to contact them.
"An Garda Síochána can be contacted at the investigation team in Blanchardstown Garda Station 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. GSOC can be contacted at 1890 600 800."
The Garda Ombudsman has issued an appeal for witnesses.
Gloria Nkencho, sister to George, said in a statement: “Thank you all for your condolences and prayers.
“My siblings and I have witnessed the most traumatic experience of our lives as our brother was shot in front of us.
“George was suffering from serious mental illness and those who knew him know the type of person he was. He was not a thug or a criminal.
“My family greatly appreciates everything everyone is doing. I kindly ask [people] to refrain from sharing the video of the shooting. It is not something I wish to be reminded of.”
In a tweet, George's brother said he "will not rest until justice is served:"
Today the Garda murdered my mentally ill brother in-front of my eyes with no remorse. They didn’t even try detain him they just used brute force. Then identify him as a thug and people stand here and tell me BLM? #GeorgeNkencho I will not rest until justice is served big bro ❤️??
— Raheem Sterling ? (@ENkencho) December 30, 2020
A petition launched on Change.org entitled "Justice for the unlawful killing of George Nkencho #justiceforgeorge" has so far gained more than 4,800 signatures.
On Thursday, protesters gathered at Blanchardstown Garda Station:
A protest has started for George Nkencho outside Blanchardstown Garda Station. #GeorgeNkencho pic.twitter.com/voXIjxUjU0
— Ciara O'Loughlin (@Ciara_olo) December 31, 2020
Protesters outside Blanchardstown Garda station take a knee in memory of #GeorgeNkencho. They say they’ll protest for two hours every day for 14 days @NewstalkFM pic.twitter.com/AxIBDnEE98
— Mairéad Cleary (@maireadcleary7) December 31, 2020
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