Dublin, August 26: Paul Butler (51), from the Grace Park area of Dublin, has died following an incident outside the Holiday Inn on O’Connell Street in the early hours of Friday, August 15. Mr Butler, described as coming from a large and respected family, sustained fatal head injuries after falling onto the pavement during an encounter with Gardaí. He passed away in hospital on Monday evening.
According to initial reports, Gardaí approached Mr Butler after allegedly observing him urinating on the street. During the intervention, he is said to have stumbled and struck his head on the ground. A Garda officer involved has denied pushing him, claiming instead that he attempted to break his fall. The incident, which was captured on CCTV, is now under investigation by the independent police watchdog, Fiosrú.
Mr Butler is survived by his partner Áine, his mother Dympna, and his siblings Stephen, Ciara, Maria, Kevin, Maireád, Rachael, John, Aidan, Declan, and Grace, as well as extended family, neighbours, and many friends. He will repose at the Fanagan Kirwan Funeral Home, Fairview Strand, on Wednesday evening, with requiem Mass to be held at the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul, Marino, on Thursday morning, followed by cremation at Glasnevin Crematorium.
Independent Investigation Underway
Fiosrú confirmed it is conducting a criminal investigation into the incident under Section 208(1)(b) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, 2024. A liaison officer has been appointed to support the Butler family throughout the process. The Garda officer in question has been suspended pending the outcome of the probe and is expected to be formally interviewed.
In a statement, a Fiosrú spokesperson said:
“The incident was referred to us by An Garda Síochána on Friday, 15 August. The man involved has since died, and we are liaising with the Dublin City Coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist regarding the post-mortem. We thank members of the public who have already come forward and strongly urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or has dashcam or mobile phone footage from the area around 4.15 a.m. near the Holiday Inn, O’Connell Street, to contact us at 0818 600 800 or info@fiosru.ie.”
Fiosrú is appealing particularly to witnesses and taxi drivers in the vicinity at the time of the incident. Meanwhile, the Garda Press Office has referred all media queries to the Ombudsman.
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