Protests continue over fatal shooting

FURTHER protests have taken place in the Irish Republic over the fatal shooting of George Nkencho.

A crowd of around 50 people protested outside Blanchardstown garda station.

Mr Nkencho (27) was shot multiple times by gardai outside his home in Clonee, west Dublin, last Wednesday.

Mr Nkencho was allegedly brandishing a knife and threatened gardai before he was shot by members of Blanchardstown Garda Armed Support Unit.

A group of demonstrators held placards outside the garda station, calling for justice for Mr Nkencho.

It follows other protests outside garda stations and at the Spire in O’connell Street following Mr Nkencho’s death.

Among those protesting yesterday was family friend JK Onwumereh. He said the protest was organised by the community.

“A 27-year-old man suffering from mental health (issues) was shot by the gardai in circumstances the community is still struggling to understand,” he said.

“People want to understand what really happened.

“We understand there is no death sentence here in Ireland, but in a case that has not been judged, a case that has not even been investigated, circumstances that are still unclear to everybody, result in a young man being killed in the manner that he was killed, we feel it was callous.

“We feel that 20 minutes is not sufficient unless the life of someone is being threatened.

“In this particular circumstance we just can’t make sense of what really happened and that is why the community is protesting. It’s not just the community — all across Ireland people are protesting.

“One life that is taken in those circumstances is one life too many. People want to make sense — is this policy? Is that standard procedure for dealing with this sort of issue?

“We are really beside ourselves with grief and we are calling for justice.”

Mr Onwumereh said he knows Mr Nkencho and his family.

He said he was a “peaceful man” who was troubled and had mental health challenges.

“A mentally ill person really needs help, not bullets,” he added.

On Friday, a group of approximately 150 people held a candlelit vigil before marching from the Spire on Dublin’s O’connell street to Pearse Street garda station.

Protesters chanted “no justice, no peace” and “say his name, George Nkencho”.