‘My son was treated worse than an animal’ – George Nkencho’s mum pledges to fight for justice until the day she dies | XO3J495 | 2024-05-05 00:08:01
'My son was treated worse than an animal' – George Nkencho's mum pledges to fight for justice until the day she dies | XO3J495 | 2024-05-05 00:08:01
THE mother of garda shooting victim George Nkencho has pledged to fight for justice until the day she dies and declared: "My son was treated worse than an animal."
Heartbroken Blessing Nkencho will lead a protest at the Department of Justice tomorrow after the Director of Public Prosecutions recently ruled no charges will be brought against cops involved in the fatal shooting.
Tragic George was shot multiple times by officers in a stand-off outside his home in Clonee, west Dublin on December 30, 2020.
The 27-year-old, whose family said was suffering from mental illness, was gunned down after allegedly threatening cops with a knife.
He was shot in his front garden after his family pleaded for him to be left alone.
Cops said they felt threatened when he refused to put down the knife and attempts at non-lethal ways of disarming him failed.
It emerged last week that the state prosecutor has directed that no officer has a criminal case to answer following a lengthy probe by the Garda Ombudsman.
George's grieving mum Blessing will tomorrow join a number of groups supporting the family at a demonstration at the offices of the Department of Justice in St Stephen's Green, Dublin.
In an exclusive interview with the Irish Sun ahead of tomorrow's protest, Blessing told how she has been "retraumatised" following the DPP's decision that no cop would be prosecuted over the shooting of her son.
She said: "As a mother, I'm just heartbroken.
"My son is supposed to be with me. But he was taken from me in broad daylight.
"It was in front of the house, the gardai shot him six times.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> "He was shot at his own door. He was trying to open his own door. And they shot him. Six times. Six times.
"George was treated worse than an animal. He was treated differently. Why? He was killed for nothing.
'I'm heartbroken'
"Now they (the authorities) are telling the world they are not going to prosecute the guards. How would you feel? I'm heartbroken. It (the DPP's decision) has caused us more hurt."
The Nkencho family are appealing the DPP's decision not to bring charges over the fatal shooting.
Bereaved Blessing pledged the clan will "never give up on the fight for justice for George".
And as they seek answers over the tragedy, the Nkenchos slammed the authorities over the way the news of a direction of no prosecution emerged last week.
Left in the dark
Furious Blessing told how relatives had previously been promised "advanced notice" of the outcome – but claimed they were left in the dark until the news was made public.
The DPP's decision came after they examined a file completed by the Garda Ombudsman who probed the circumstances of George's death.
Speaking to the Irish Sun last night, Blessing called for the DPP to outline the reasons for its decision not to bring charges against any officer.
Anguished Blessing demanded access to the garda watchdog's report as she vowed to "fight for justice until my last breath".
Continuing fight
Blessing told us: "As of now, I have seen no reports.
"They (the DPP) need to explain the decision.
"I will continue the fight for justice for George. I will not let them sweep it under my feet.
"There was no (advance) notice of the decision, we haven't had anything.
Decision appeal
"Will will of course appeal the decision. This is a human being we are talking about, we are not talking about animals. You cannot kill a human, a man of 27."
Fighting back tears, the mum continued: "I want to see the report (the Garda Ombudsman report), I want to see the reasons (for the DPP ruling not to prosecute).
"I'm going to keep on going. I have to get justice. I will keep on fighting. If I can breathe, I will still fight."
As she pushes for "transparency" over the DPP's decision, the mum maintained she had now been left with "even more questions than ever" over the loss of her son.
Siblings saw shooting
Some of George's siblings witnessed the shooting as they were at the front door when an armed officer opened fire.
Blessing told the Irish Sun her children have been left reeling by the DPP's decision not to bring charges in connection with the death.
She said: "Everybody is just like why? Why is no one facing justice? If you are going to leave it all this time (to make the ruling of no prosecution), why?
"George was not an armed robber, he was not a thief. This was my child."
Various groups including Youth Against Racism & Inequality, Black and Irish and Irish Network Against Racism and United Against Racism will join members of the Nkencho family at the protest outside the Department of Justice tomorrow.
Yesterday we revealed how George's brother Emmanuel, 23, has been hired as an Irish youth ambassador for the Rio Ferdinand Foundation.
More >> https://ift.tt/vDfsdt7 Source: MAG NEWS
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