LAST UPDATE | 2 Jun

GARDAÍ ARE TRYING to determine what caused the death of a man who swam across the River Liffey after an assault in the War Memorial Gardens. 

The man has been named locally as Thomas Griffin, aged in his 30s and from the Ballyfermot area of Dublin. 

The incident happened near a green area at Islandbridge on the Chapelizod Road in Dublin on Saturday night at 10.20pm. 

Sources told The Journal that Mr Griffin was assaulted before he swam across the Liffey to get away from his attackers, but that gardaí do not believe the injuries he sustained during the incident were the cause of his death.

Emergency services were called to the scene after reports of incidents inside the memorial gardens, which are located south of the Phoenix Park. Both parks are separated by the River Liffey. 

“Gardaí and emergency services attended following reports that a male had swum across the River Liffey to lands adjacent to Chapelizod Road, following an alleged incident of assault in the vicinity of the War Memorial Gardens at approximately 10.20pm,” a garda spokesman said. 

Mr Griffin was taken to St James’ Hospital by Dublin Fire Brigade, where he died on Sunday. 

Gardaí said that a postmortem will be carried out to determine how he died. 

In a statement, Sinn Féin councillor for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh Daithí Doolan said Mr Griffin’s death “was tragic, made worse by the questions that surround his untimely death.”

He extended his sympathies to his family and friends and urged anyone who saw or heard anything near the memorial gardens on Saturday to contact gardaí. 

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

They have asked for camera footage, including dash-cam, from anyone travelling in the area on Saturday between the hours of 9pm to 10.45pm.

With reporting by Jane Moore.