The Justice Minister's establishing a judicial inquiry into matters surrounding the death of Garda Sergeant Michael Galvin.
The father of three died at Ballyshannon Garda station last week - he appears to have taken his own life.
He had been questioned earlier this year by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission about a road crash in which a woman died - he had been cleared of any wrongdoing but was not told this by GSOC.
The Ombudsman had also launched an inquiry into his death last week.
In a statement tonight Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald says she has now decided to initiate an inquiry by an independent
judicial figure - the Chief Justice will now nominate a Supreme Court or High Court judge to investigate.
The Minister also says she welcomes the fact that the GSOC investigation into the death of Sergeant Galvin has been discontinued.
Meanwhile, GSOC has issued a statement following the Minister's decision.
The body says it has listened to the concerns of Sergeant Michael Galvin's family and colleagues and that much of the commentary has been misleading.
In a statement the ombudsman says it is convinced its interaction with the late Sgt Galvin was proportionate and reasonable.
However it is now bringing its investigation into the death of Sgt Galvin to a close.
