Fiosrú file on Dublin man's death with DPP, inquest told

An inquest has been adjourned after Fiosrú said criminal proceedings are being contemplated in relation to the death of a man in Dublin city centre last year, following an interaction with gardaí.

Paul Butler, aged 51, from St Ignatius Road, Phibsborough, Dublin, died in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital on 18 August 2025 from injuries he had sustained three days earlier in an incident on O'Connell Street in central Dublin.

The opening of an inquest into Mr Butler’s death at Dublin District Coroner’s Court heard the results of a post mortem examination by assistant State pathologist, Margaret Bolster, showed he died as a result of complications of a traumatic head injury.

The deceased had sustained his injuries near the Holiday Inn on O’Connell Street at around 4.15am on 15 August 2025.

It is understood that Mr Butler was approached by gardaí on the street on the suspicion that he might have been intoxicated.

He is suspected to have hit his head on the ground during the interaction with gardaí.

A garda was arrested for questioning immediately after Mr Butler’s death but was later released without charge.

It is understood that the officer, who has strongly denied any wrongdoing, was suspended from duty pending the outcome of the inquiry.

The case was referred by gardaí to Fiosrú - previously known as the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission - which is obliged to investigate any act or omission of a member of An Garda Síochána that may have resulted in a person’s death or serious harm under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

'Criminal proceedings are being contemplated'

An investigator with Fiosrú, Nicholas Harden, told the inquest that its file on the case was complete and was "resting with the DPP".

Mr Harden applied for an adjournment of the inquest under Section 25 (1) of the Coroners Act while a direction is awaited from the DPP.

"Criminal proceedings are being contemplated," he explained.

The deceased’s partner, Áine McGrath, gave evidence of being informed by garda who called to her home on 15 August 2025 that Mr Butler had been injured and was in the Mater Hospital.

Ms McGrath said she went to the hospital later the same day where she identified the injured male as her partner to Garda Conor Watters.

The coroner, Clare Keane, granted the application by Fiosrú and adjourned the case for further mention to 16 March 2027.

Mr Butler, who came originally from Drumcondra, is survived by his partner, Áine; mother, Dympna and ten siblings.