Garda: Lethal force 'absolutely necessary against Nkencho

Inquest hears cop feared for life. George shot 6 times by his home

- BY BAIRBRE HOLMES

THE garda who shot and killed George Nkencho has told a court they believed they would be killed if they did not use lethal force.

Mr Nkencho, 27, died outside his Clonee home in west Dublin in December 2020 after being shot multiple times by the Garda Armed Support Unit.

The firearms officer, Garda A who has been granted anonymity but was visible to the coroner, jury and legal teams gave evidence at the inquest into Mr Nkencho's death at Dublin District Coroner's Court on Tuesday.

The court heard how Garda A and another firearms officer, known as Garda B, arrived at the scene and found Mr Nkencho surrounded by 10 gardai.

The officer described how Mr Nkencho appeared "highly alert and focused", was instructed to "drop the knife", and how Garda A feared he "would attack anyone who stood in front of him or try to arrest him".

They then described how Mr Nkencho was followed into the garden of a private home, ignoring gardai.