Fiosrú sends file to DPP over death of Paul Butler after interaction with gardaí in Dublin
Paul Butler, 51, from Phibsborough, was approached by gardaí on suspicion of being intoxicated outside the Holiday Inn on O'Connell Street in the early hours of 15 August 2025, and died four days later in hospital, suspected to have hit his head on the ground during the interaction. A garda was arrested for questioning, released without charge, and suspended from duty pending the outcome of the inquiry. Senior gardaí referred the incident to Fiosrú, which made two witness appeals during its investigation. On 20 August 2026, Fiosrú sent its completed investigation file to the DPP, and the Butler family was notified.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Paul Butler, 51, from Phibsborough, was approached by gardaí on suspicion of being intoxicated and died four days later in hospital.
- Where
- The incident took place outside the Holiday Inn on O'Connell Street, Dublin, after Butler had been at Fibber Magees pub on Parnell Street, Dublin 1.
- When
- The incident took place in the early hours of 15 August 2025.
- Cause
- Butler is suspected to have hit his head on the ground during the interaction with gardaí.
- Investigation
- Senior gardaí referred the incident to Fiosrú after Butler was taken to hospital, and Fiosrú made two witness appeals during the investigation.
- A garda was arrested for questioning, released without charge, and suspended from duty pending the outcome of the inquiry.
- Other details
- The garda strongly denied any wrongdoing.
- In court
- Fiosrú sent its completed investigation file to the DPP on 20 August 2026, and the Butler family was notified.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatButler was approached by gardaí on suspicion of being intoxicated (irishtimes.com)
- whatButler was brought to hospital but died four days later from his injuries (irishtimes.com)
- whereButler was from Phibsborough (irishtimes.com)
- whereButler had been at Fibber Magees pub on Parnell Street, Dublin 1, before the incident (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident took place in the early hours of 15 August 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- causeButler is suspected to have hit his head on the ground during the interaction (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFiosrú sent its completed investigation file to the DPP (irishtimes.com)
- investigationSenior gardaí referred the incident to Fiosrú after Butler was taken to hospital (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe garda was suspended from duty pending the outcome of the inquiry (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFiosrú made two witness appeals during the investigation (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe garda strongly denied any wrongdoing (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Butler family has been notified that the file was sent to the DPP (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Aug2026Fiosrú sends file to DPP over Dublin man’s death after interaction with gardaí
Fiosrú investigation complete; file sent to DPP; garda arrested for questioning, released without charge, and suspended from duty; Fiosrú made two witness appeals; Butler family notified.
victim, Paul Butler, 51, male, irish (judged from name)Paul Butlersuspect, male