Updated Fiosrú statement following receipt of S.203 referral 15 May 2026

Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman, received a received a referral from An Garda Síochána on Friday, 15 May 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 involved the death of an individual in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. Fiosrú’s on call team of investigators attended the scene on Friday evening and its independent investigation is ongoing.

In line with its statutory remit, Fiosrú’s investigation relates to incidents involving contact with gardaí where a member of the public has died or been seriously injured. 

A referral does not necessarily mean a garda or gardaí have been accused of wrongdoing. Instead, it means that the incident should be investigated independently by Fiosrú to ascertain whether or not the act or omission of a garda or gardaí may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person. 

Currently, two separate investigations are taking place into the circumstance of the incident which resulted in a fatality, by both An Garda Síochána and Fiosrú. 

The focus of Fiosrú’s independent investigation is only on the interaction of gardaí with the deceased. Fiosrú is not investigating any civilian involvement in the incident, which is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána. 

As Fiosrú’s investigation remains ongoing under section 208(1)(b) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, Fiosrú cannot make any further comment. An Garda Síochána has, separately, appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward. Witness Appeal: Fatal Incident Henry Street, Dublin – 15th May 2026 - Garda.

Editor’s Note:

Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman, is an independent statutory police oversight body. 
Section 203(1) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024 provides for the mandatory referral to Fiosrú of 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.
Under section 208(1), the Police Ombudsman shall appoint a designated officer to undertake an investigation in accordance with this Part where any matter is referred to the Police Ombudsman under section 203(1).

ENDS