The coronial inquiry into the fatal shooting of Robert Edward McInerney, 48, began on Monday at Devonport Magistrates Court before Coroner Olivia McTaggart.

In an opening statement, counsel assisting the coroner John Ransom said the cause of death and the intentions of the police officers would not be in dispute during the inquest.

Mr Ransom told the court that at 3pm on May 24, 2016 Mr McInerney sent his ex-partner, Ann Gallagher, a number of messages saying that he wanted to commit suicide.

READ MORE: Coronial Inquest into fatal shooting of man by police in the state's North-West to investigate officer training

At 7.45pm, he called triple-zero and told the operator he was mentally unstable, was in pain and was armed with knives. He said in the call that he wanted police to shoot him.

Mr McInerney was armed with several knives when police officers arrived at the Stitz Street unit.

Mr Ransom said the man was behind the property when he charged at the police officers who were trying to negotiate with him.

Police used capsicum spray on the man but it appeared to have no effect.

Senior Constable William Flynn shot Mr McInerney in the abdomen and thigh. He was taken to hospital but later died of his injuries.

A toxicology report showed he had a blood alcohol reading of 0.175 at the time of death.

Mr McInerney's psychiatrist, Dr Christopher Robinson, told the court his patient reported he had been taking 21 standard drinks per day in the months leading up to his death.

He had also sought medication to manage pain associated with arthritis and a back injury.

The court heard Mr McInerney had been admitted to the emergency ward on several occasions because of suicide attempts, alcohol and chronic pain.

Ms Gallagher said the last time she saw her former partner on February 20 he had assaulted her son at her Ulverstone home.

"I said I do not want him back near me and my children. I was scared for me but I was more scared for my kids."

She said Mr McInerney would drink heavily and when drunk would say he was "sick of life".

She said he was "a very aggressive man" and would take his anger out on her in the form of verbal and physical abuse. Ms Gallagher said he spent most of his disability pension on alcohol.

She learned about the death of Mr McInerney when police arrived at her door about 2am on May 25 and asked her to identify his body.

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