A man in his 50s died in Garda custody in Waterford on Feb. 22, 2026, prompting an investigation by the new Police Ombudsman.

A man in his 50s died while in Garda custody at a police station in County Waterford on February 22, 2026, after being found unresponsive in a cell during the early hours. Despite resuscitation efforts by officers and medical personnel, he was pronounced dead. The case has been referred to Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, established in April 2025 to replace the former Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, under Section 203(1) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act. The County Coroner has been notified, and An Garda Síochána has stated it cannot comment as the investigation continues.