Fiosrú statement following receipt of S.203 referral 20 February 2026

Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman received a referral from An Garda Síochána on Friday, 20 February 2026.
 
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 a road traffic incident in Cork.
 
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.

Editor’s Note:
 
Section 203(1) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024 provides for the referral to Fiosrú any matter concerning death of, or serious harm to, a person
 
The Garda Commissioner shall, subject to subsection (2), without delay, refer to the Police Ombudsman any matter that appears to the Garda Commissioner to indicate that the act or omission of a member of garda personnel may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person.