Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I have no particular difficulty with the individual nominations, although I do point to the point made by many people about gardaí investigating gardaí. I would like to see more civilian oversight of gardaí to ensure we genuinely have independence in oversight of the Garda and that it is perceived to be independent.

Given the recognition and acknowledgement that we need a new model for oversight of the Garda that genuinely has that credibility, I believe the case of George Nkencho, referred to by a number of Deputies, indicates the need to have an Abbeylara-style, fully independent inquiry. Concerns have been expressed by the family solicitor about the failure to interview the family, even though they have important evidence regarding the shooting. There is a very concerning independent pathologist’s report about George Nkencho receiving two shots in the back of the six shots that killed him on the doorstep of his house, particularly when the family have important evidence to give in terms of what they saw and their belief that the shooting was unnecessary.

I also think there are quite striking similarities that need to be acknowledged between this and the Abbeylara case: two young men, both aged 27, with 20 years almost exactly between these two events, and both of whom suffered from mental illness. In both cases, there were attempts to demonise the individuals and downplay the impact of mental illness on the circumstances. Of course, we know that the Barr tribunal eventually found that, really, had things been handled better, the shooting of John Carthy might not have been necessary. It is important we have that kind of independent public investigation into the shooting of George Nkencho, not least because, of course, the far right have, in the most vile way, demonised the family on racist grounds. It is very important for that reason as well that it is seen to be a genuine, independent public inquiry.

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