Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I note the fact that it has taken two and a half years for the investigation into the killing of George Nkencho to get to the point where a file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. I am pleased that a file has been sent to the DPP. Mr. Nkencho's family feel a sense of relief about the fact that has happened. However, I will register the point that two and a half years was far too long a wait for a family who had to deal with the grief and trauma of the killing of their son and brother. I express the hope that the DPP can now process the case with a degree of urgency.

Due to where this case is at, I will only deal with points that arise from it in a very general sense. George Nkencho's sister, Gloria, made a statement the other day in the aftermath of the decision. She said the following, which I will read into the record of the House:

We are also compelled to express our profound disappointment in the political response, or rather the lack thereof. It is disheartening to witness the major political parties in the state, who should have been beacons of support and solidarity, fail to stand beside our family in our relentless quest for justice.

[...]

We also raise valid concerns about the potential role of racial bias in shaping the decision of politicians to withhold public support.

That is a very sharp statement from someone who, together with her family, is meant to be represented by three Ministers in her constituency. She concludes on that by stating, "Would the response have been different if the victim had been a white middle-class young man from the leafy suburbs of South Co Dublin?"

I will also read into the record some comments that Gloria Nkencho made regarding the media coverage of the case in the hours and days immediately following the killing of her brother. They are also very relevant points. She said:

As we reflect upon the conclusion of the investigation into George's tragic death, it is imperative to acknowledge the insidious influence of racial bias that tainted the initial media coverage of George’s case. We cannot ignore the manner in which journalists, including those from the national broadcaster RTE, portrayed our family’s arduous struggle for justice. The impact of inaccurate reporting fuelled by leaks from An Garda Síochána, continues [not just in the immediate aftermath, although that was a particular case in point] to shape the prevailing narrative.

Those are very important words from Gloria Nkencho. I would like to make other points but I will save the bulk of them for another day for reasons the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will understand.

There is a clear need for far more training and resources to equip all front-line workers, and law enforcement agencies, with all the skills needed to deal with individuals undergoing a mental health crisis. We need urgent changes that will help towards dealing efficiently and compassionately with vulnerable individuals at vulnerable moments. I will return to these issues at a later time.

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