Overview
- The State pathologist told the inquest that one of six shots fired by an Armed Support Unit member struck Mr Nkencho in the back and proved fatal, with a second back wound also possible.
- Sergeant John Heaney said two taser deployments and pepper spray had no effect on Mr Nkencho, who was holding a knife, and he stated a 40mm less-lethal launcher would have been the wrong option.
- Heaney testified that the confrontation could not be safely de-escalated and noted lethal force can be justified if officers face an immediate threat to life.
- Heaney said Garda A completed ASU training in 2018, ultimately achieving the required score of eight after lower early marks, in a programme with a high failure rate and mandatory refreshers.
- The inquest also heard Fiosrú’s account of 2020 mental-health concerns and the DPP’s 2023 decision not to prosecute, alongside evidence on note-taking orders, weapon surrender and an apology over an unannounced video.