A garda who shot and killed an abductor has told an inquest he fired because he believed the victim was at "imminent risk of death".
Mark Hennessy abducted and killed Jastine Valdez in Enniskerry in Wicklow in May 2018.
Detective 'Garda A' told the inquest his aim was to rescue Jastine Valdez and arrest Mark Hennessy.
He and two Garda colleagues tracked down the 40-year-old at the Cherrywood Business Park.
He believed Jastine could be alive and said Mark Hennessy looked agitated and attempted to move his car when he approached.
He said he could see a Stanley knife in Mr. Hennessy's hand and he looked like "a man possessed".
'Garda A' said it looked like Hennessy was struggling with someone in the front, and he shouted "armed police, put the f*****g knife down".
He said he observed the knife being moved and thought Mark Hennessy was slitting Jastine Valdez's throat.
He told the inquest he believed there was an immediate threat to her life so he discharged his revolver, aimed it at Mr. Hennessy's chest and shot one round.
'Garda A' said he could see Mr. Hennessy was very badly injured, and bleeding from his mouth.
He said his stomach dropped and his heart sank when he realised Ms. Valdez wasn't in the vehicle.
She had been killed earlier in Wicklow.
The inquest continues.
