The heartbroken younger brother of tragic George Nkencho - who was shot dead by armed gardai in Dublin - has paid tribute to him on what would have been his 28th birthday.
Mr Nkencho died outside his west Dublin home last December 30 following a stand-off with gardai during which he refused to drop a knife.
He had allegedly assaulted a local shop worker earlier that day.
Gardaí said at the time that they had unsuccessfully attempted to use non-lethal force before he was fatally injured.
Mr Nkencho, who had no criminal convictions, was suffering from mental health issues at the time.
Now, in a heartbreaking post on social media, George’s younger brother Emmanuel paid tribute to George on what would have been his 28th birthday yesterday.
Emmanuel wrote: “It’s nearly been a whole year since you've been taken from us. Sh*t hasn’t got any easier. Happy birthday big bro. Would have been 28 today. Hope you're having a ball up there, keep watching over us until we meet again.”
Emmanuel also posted heartbreaking images of him standing beside George’s white coffin and by his graveside with pals saying “It’s a cruel world.”
“Not a day goes without me thinking of you brother. It’s a cruel world. Sh*t only gets harder. Until we meet again.”
The inquest into George’s death, which opened earlier this year, is to be mentioned next month at Dublin Coroner Court.
It cannot commence until an investigation into the fatal shooting has been completed by Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).
That investigation is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
