An inquest into the death of George Nkencho has been told that gardaí received information about his mental health problems roughly 10 minutes prior to him being fatally shot outside the family residence in Manorfields Drive, Clonee, Co Dublin, on 30 December 2020, reports RTE.
Sergeant Deirdre Dempsey, who was previously a call dispatcher at Harcourt Street Garda Station, stated that the initial call was recorded at 12.14pm concerning an incident with a male at Eurospar, Hartstown Shopping Centre, reports RTE.
The inquest was informed that officers at the location were advised by witnesses that the male had been waving a knife, prompting the decision to deploy the Armed Response Unit (ARU).
At 12.26pm it was noted in the call logs – presented to the jury – “that fella is known to gardaí and has severe mental health issues”.
At 12.32pm the log recorded that the male was holding a knife in his right hand, reports RTE.
The log indicated at 12.34pm in reply to control asking if the male was aware gardaí were there: “Yeah, he knows we are here. He’s pointing a knife at us.”
At 12.36pm the dispatcher inquired whether shots had been discharged. No reply came regarding whether the shots had hit their target.
At 12.37pm confirmation reached the control centre that a male had been shot multiple times and was “gravely ill”, reports RTE.
Sgt Dempsey then asked twice if an ambulance was required, directing the question to members of both the ARU and the local garda units. There was no immediate answer.
The inquest later heard from Sgt Dempsey, under questioning from barrister Ronan Kennedy representing the gardaí, that ARU members were providing first aid to Mr Nkencho at the location, which took precedence over contacting the Harcourt Street communications centre.
Sgt Dempsey noted that local gardaí were probably placing emergency calls at the moment she inquired about the ambulance, reports RTE.
Shortly afterwards a call came in to control from a garda at the scene stating: “En route, an ambulance is just behind us,” reports RTE.
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