LAST UPDATE | 15 Dec 2025

THE POLICING OMBUDSMAN has begun an investigation following a garda referral into the death of a man in an incident this weekend in the Temple Bar area of Dublin.

It is understood that gardaí had been in contact with the man at the time of his death after they responded to a public order incident call. The incident happened on Saturday night.

Paramedics were called to the scene when the man became unresponsive.

There were efforts to resuscitate the man but those efforts failed and he was pronounced dead a short time later. 

It is understood Fiosrú, the Garda Ombudsman, was alerted to the incident by a senior officer in Dublin as the force must notify if someone suffers serious injury or death when they have been in contact with gardaí.

A garda spokesman said: “In relation to your query, Gardaí have referred an incident which involved the death of a man in the Dublin Metropolitan Region on the 14th December 2025 to Fiosrú. As this matter is currently under investigation by Fiosrú all further queries should be directed to them.”

Fiosrú confirmed it was investigating: “Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman received a referral from An Garda Síochána on Sunday.

“The referral was made by a Garda Superintendent under section 203(1) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

“The referral was made following the death of a man following Garda contact in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. One of Fiosrú’s on call team of investigators attended the scene.

“As the matter is now under investigation, pursuant to section 208(1)(b) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, Fiosrú cannot make any further comment.”