Fiosrú statement following receipt of S.203 referral 20 January 2026
Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman, received a referral from An Garda Síochána on Tuesday, the 20th of January 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 as a result of an incident which has involved the death of an individual in the Cork County Division.
One of Fiosrú’s on call team of investigators attended the scene.
The team have and will continue to engage with the family concerned.
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.’
note: updated 23 January 2026