Who was David Joyce, the Irish man shot dead by UK police?

Traveller was killed by a single shot at a train station in April

Listen | 17:02
David Joyce, originally from Galway, who was killed by police while brandishing a knife at armed officers in Milton Keynes. Photograph: Facebook
David Joyce, originally from Galway, who was killed by police while brandishing a knife at armed officers in Milton Keynes. Photograph: Facebook

David Joyce, 38, was killed with a single shot by British police officers at Milton Keynes railway station on April 1st.

Officers were called to the station at about 12.55pm following reports of a man carrying a gun. Joyce did have a weapon – a knife – but not a gun.

A gay man and a member of the Traveller community, Joyce had lived in the UK since his early 20s. He had experienced mental health difficulties from his teenage years and they had grown over time.

He had a fascination with guns and was known to the police, having been jailed in 2022 for possession of weapons. In February he entered a police station carrying a knife which he put down when asked; he was experiencing a mental health crisis and was looking for help.

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Just weeks later he was shot dead by police.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), has launched an investigation into the incident.

So who was David Joyce and what led to that tragic day in April?

Irish Times London correspondent Mark Paul visited Milton Keynes to explore what happened at the train station and how Joyce lived and died.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Suzanne Brennan.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast