The man was ejected from a Dublin club early on Sunday and became unwell after being arrested by gardai – he later died in hospital
Garda (stock image)(Image: Niall Carson/PA Wire)
An investigation is underway into the death of a man after he was ejected from a Dublin pub and then arrested, it has emerged.
Dublin Live has learned that gardai have referred the death of the man to Fiosrú, the independent policing watchdog.
We have learned that the man, who was living and working in Dublin but was from Romania, became ill after an incident in a well-known pub in central Dublin early on Sunday morning.
Sources tell us gardai were called to the pub after security staff had restrained and ejected the man, who was attending a Christmas party there.
Gardai then went to the scene and arrested the man, before placing him in handcuffs.
It then became clear that the man was distressed and he was rushed to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Fiosrú confirmed to the Irish Mirror that gardai had referred the incident to the organisation.
A spokesperson told us: “Fiosrú, Office of the Police Ombudsman, received a referral from An Garda Síochána on Sunday, 14 December 2025. 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.”
The referral was made under section 203(1) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. That provides for the referral to Fiosrú by gardai of any matter concerning the death of, or serious harm to, a person.
We contacted the Garda Press Office for comment.
A spokesman told us: “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.”
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