Garda ombudsman investigating death of man, 40s, in Temple Bar last weekend

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Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, is investigating the death of a man in Temple Bar in Dublin last weekend.

Shortly before 1am on Sunday, December 14, gardaí responded to reports of a disturbance outside a licensed premises on Essex Street East, where a man had been restrained by security staff.

After gardaí arrived at the scene, the man, 40s, was detained. Gardaí say they subsequently "sought assistance from a nearby ambulance crew as the male appeared unwell".

The man was then taken to St James’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. Because the man had been in contact with the gardaí before his death, a garda superintendent referred the incident to Fiosrú.

The coroner has been notified and an autopsy has been carried out by the Office of the State Pathologist. Its preliminary results are not being released at this time for operational reasons, gardaí said.

The investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) based at the incident room in Pearse Street Garda Station.

A garda spokesperson said the scene has been "forensically examined and local policing inquiries have been conducted". A Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has also been appointed.

On Wednesday, gardaí issued an appeal for witnesses.

Anyone with video footage — including dashcam footage — from Essex Street East between 12.30am and 1.30am last Sunday, December 14, has been asked to contact the investigation team.

Anyone with information should call Pearse Street Garda Station on [phone], the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.