The inquest into the George Nkencho case has been adjourned to allow the family to obtain clarification on the DPP’s decision

The victim’s family has asked the DPP to explain its decision as to why no criminal proceedings should be brought in connection with the case following the conclusion of a lengthy investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman’s Commission into the fatal shooting.

At a sitting of the Dublin County Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, GSOC Chief Investigator Stuart Duguid confirmed that the DPP’s decision had been communicated to Mr Nkencho’s family.

Mr Duguid told coroner Myra Cullinane that the deceased’s relatives were looking for reasons why they were not prosecuting the police officers involved in Mr Nkencho’s death and that they could appeal the decision. A GSOC official said the family had up to 56 days to appeal the DPP’s decision not to press charges.

Duguid filed a motion to postpone the investigation until October, saying the ongoing trial could take “several months.” Asked by Dr Cullinane about the police’s view on the matter, An Garda Síochána barrister Barry Ward BL said Mr Nkencho’s family had the right to seek the help they needed.

The Nkencho family’s lawyer, Shane Coleman BL, said his clients had no objection to the further adjournment of the case.

The coroner noted that the application for an adjournment had been made under s. 25 section 1 of the Coroners Act, although she accepted that it could not be said that criminal proceedings were contemplated.

However, Dr Cullinane admitted that “the trial is ongoing” and granted the request to adjourn the hearings until October 4.

The victim’s sister, Gloria Nkencho, attended the short hearing. Earlier this month, Ms Nkencho vowed that her family’s “fight for justice” would continue despite the DPP’s decision.

In a statement, she expressed “hurt and disappointment” at the news of the decision and said the development left “more questions than answers.” Last month, activists also staged a demonstration outside the Department of Justice in Dublin to call for the DPP’s decision to be reversed.

Mr Nkencho’s fatal shooting outside his home in west Dublin three-and-a-half years ago followed a clash between gardaí and the deceased, who was armed with a kitchen knife.

A tense situation arose shortly after Mr Nkencho was involved in an incident at a local Eurospar store during which he attacked a salesperson. A short time later, the young man, whose family was from Nigeria, was pronounced dead at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown.

An autopsy revealed that he died from multiple gunshot wounds to the torso. His family say he suffered from mental problems for several months before his death and that the level of force used by police against him was disproportionate.