The Dublin man passed away in the Mater Hospital yesterday evening.
Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that it had launched a “criminal investigation” into the Dublin city incident.
The man suffered the fatal injuries after hitting his head on the street following the interaction with the on-duty garda on O’Connell Street in the early hours of Friday morning.
The incident, which happened near the Holiday Inn on O’Connell Street at 4.15am on Friday, was captured on good-quality CCTV.
O’Connell Street, Dublin
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – August 19th
The Dublin man was rushed to hospital in a “gravely ill” condition.
He has been described as “a very decent individual from a loving family”.
Sources have described what has happened as a “devastating tragedy for all involved”.
In a statement, Fiosrú said the man suffered “serious harm”, prompting a referral under new policing legislation.
“The man has now died and Fiosrú have been liaising with the Dublin City Coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist in relation to a post mortem.”
Fiosrú is now appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area at the time. In particular, investigators are keen to hear from anyone close to the hotel about 4.15am, or from drivers — including taxis — who may have dashcam or mobile phone footage.
“Anyone with information which may be of assistance to this independent investigation is asked to contact Fiosrú at 0818 600 800 or info@fiosru.ie,” the Ombudsman’s office said.
One of Fiosrú’s on-call investigators attended the scene on Friday and the office confirmed it was continuing to engage with the man’s family.
The referral to Fiosrú was made under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which requires the Garda Commissioner to pass on any matter indicating that the act or omission of a garda member may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person.
Section 203(1) of the Act provides for such referrals, while Section 208(1)(b) prevents the Ombudsman’s office from making further public comment while an investigation is under way.
“Fiosrú has commenced a criminal investigation into the incident pursuant to section 208(1)(b) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024,” a spokesperson said.
A Garda spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána referred an incident to Fiosrú following an interaction between a member of the public and an on-duty Garda member on Friday 15 August 2025.”