The family of George Nkencho today said they welcomed the launch of a criminal probe into the fatal shooting by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
The 27-year-old was shot by an armed garda outside his home in Clonee, on the Dublin-Meath border on December 30.
GSOC announced that it has formally launched a criminal investigation following an initial examination of the death.
It has been decided a full probe is required into “potential” criminal offences and to assess whether the garda was guilty of any wrongdoing.
Phelim O’Neill, a solicitor representing the Nkencho family, released a statement on their behalf on Thursday.
The family said they “welcomed correspondence” from GSOC which confirmed the fatal shooting is “now enjoying the status of “a criminal investigation”.
The statement added: “In previous correspondence with GSOC we called upon the Garda Ombudsman to ensure that the matter is treated as a serious criminal investigation with all resources as may be required, furnished and availed of."
Mr O’Neill also said he remains “extremely concerned by what appears to be a distinct lack of urgency on the part of GSOC in their approach to the investigation”.
He added: “In the letter received [on Thursday] the Garda Ombudsman commission have been unable to specify when they will be in a position to take witness statements from George Nkencho’s three siblings who were eyewitnesses of their brother’s shooting outside the front door of their family home.
“This admission is made in circumstances where it is acknowledged in the same letter by the investigating officer that these statements are “vital to the investigation.”
