Posted by A 51-year-old Dublin resident, named locally as Paul Butler, died days after he suffered serious head injuries following an interaction with Gardaí.
4.18pm, 27 Aug 2025
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A SERVING GARDA has been arrested by ombudsman investigators as part of their investigation into the death of a man in Dublin.
A 51-year-old Dublin resident, named locally as Paul Butler, died days after he suffered serious head injuries following an interaction with gardaí.
The man was involved in an incident with gardai close to the Holiday Inn on O’Connell Street last Friday. It is understood he suffered severe head injuries after a fall onto the ground.
Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, said it is independently investigating the incident and had commenced a criminal investigation into it.
It would not comment on the arrest however sources have confirmed the arrest of the garda who is understood to be stationed in Dublin city centre.
It is understood that CCTV footage is forming a significant part of the probe.
A previous statement by Fiosrú, the garda ombudsman, said the incident, which happened at around 4.15am on 15 August last, involved the serious harm of the man, who later died.
A statement today said: “Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, is independently investigating an incident referred by An Garda Síochána on Friday, 15 August 2025.
“The investigation is ongoing and Fiosrú will not be making any comment at this time.”
Fiosrú has appealed for any witnesses to the incident to come forward.
This includes any passing vehicles, including taxis, that may have dashcam footage from that location or on a mobile device.
Anyone with information which may be of assistance to the independent investigation is asked to contact Fiosrú at 0818 600 800 or info@fiosru.ie.
The investigation team and its family liaison officer are working directly with the man’s family.
The Gardaí are legally required to report any incident involving death or serious harm to the ombudsman if it happened following an interaction with a Garda member.
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