Large quantity of chemicals found inside barrel at Carlow gunman's bedroom
It is understood gardaí searched two houses linked to
Evan Fitzgerald
located on the Wicklow and Carlow border near the village of Kiltegan, some 40 minutes by road from the site of the shooting.
Initial tests have determined that the barrel, about the size of a beer keg, contained a chemical accelerant that could be used to make highly flammable incendiary devices.
Fitzgerald was due to go on trial in the coming months on 13 separate charges for possession of military spec weapons, gunpowder and nitrate chemicals.
He was also charged with offences associated with an assault rifle he bought on the dark web. The Heckler and Koch G3 rifle was seized in March 2024, along with a Remington M1911 handgun and multiple types of ammunition.
He had since been charged with possession of other guns and ammunition.
He was arrested last year in Co Kildare by specialist gardaí from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, who were assisted by armed officers from the Emergency Response Unit.
He was set to hear a date for his trial this week, having appeared before court again last month.
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At a hearing last year, when the then-steel yard worker was granted bail with strict conditions, the court was told he had a 'fascination' with firearms but that the interest was more of a hobby than a 'nefarious' one. Questions regarding his bail status have been raised by numerous politicians since Sunday night.
1 June
Fitzgerald went to the shopping centre armed on Sunday evening at around 6.15pm and fired a number of shots into the air. He then died from a self-inflicted shotgun blast as two armed gardaí approached him.
Sources have said that a bottle shaped object found on his body was found to contain nothing of concern. A van he used to travel to the shopping centre was also searched but did not contain any illegal or potentially lethal weapons or substances.
The Journal
believes Fitzgerald was wearing a gas mask during the events of Sunday night, a huge cause of concern for gardaí and military Explosive Ordnance Disposal soldiers as they arrived at the scene.
The presence of the gas mask and the bottle on his body caused them to prepare for a possible chemical threat.
Inside Fitzgerald's bedroom in the ensuing searches, gardaí found a large blue barrel containing a suspicious liquid which is now being examined to determine why the 22-year-old had it, and if it could have been used as or in a weapon.
Gardaí are also examining how Fitzgerald was able to use a legally held firearm to carry out the shooting in Carlow.
Investigators have been taking statements from people close to Evan Fitzgerald, as well as those who were among the last to see him before he travelled to the town.
A large amount of witness statements from people who were in Carlow town is also being compiled along with a collection of all CCTV available across the gunman's route.
An incident room has been set up in Carlow and gardaí have appealed for anyone with video footage to contact them.
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Irish Examiner
6 days ago
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Pat left school at 13 and went to work in Waterford Crystal, Fr Chestnutt said. He worked in the blowing room before working through the trade union movement for 'justice and fairness' and the rights of all Waterford Crystal workers. He worked tirelessly. For the workers in the glass, for the trade union movement. He fought for justice. Mr Fitzgerald was a well-known character in Waterford and someone that Fr Chestnutt never heard anyone speak a bad word about. The number of tributes on was proof of how widely respected Mr Fitzgerlad was, he said. A photo of a smiling Pat in his youth stood on a glass table above a wreath of white roses in front of the altar. A piece of Waterford Crystal, a deck of cards and a copy of The Irish Times were also brought to the table to represent Mr Fitzgerald's life and passions. A deck of cards was a reminder of family gatherings every Saturday. Although bets were small, Mr Fitzgerald was 'fiercely competitive'. 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Sunday World
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'For any person, especially an elderly gentleman, to die in such circumstances - it left an awful lot of shock over the bank holiday weekend when the news broke first that he was seriously injured, and then he unfortunately passed away on Sunday afternoon. People were very shocked,' added Cllr Barry. Condolences and sympathies have come in from far and wide for the trade unionist who played a key role in negotiating a fair deal for workers at Waterford Crystal. A former colleague at British Midland ATGWU, said: 'I met Pat in 2001 when he was a convener in Waterford Crystal and I was a shop steward in British Midland. 'The WC committee had invited us to meet to discuss our strike in Dublin Airport after which they donated to our strike fund, in spite of their own ongoing struggles. 'Pat hosted us for the duration, gave great advice and was incredibly generous and supportive of our efforts. 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'Over the past three decades up to the closure and the Waterford glass plant at Kilbarry and which saw the sacking by a receiver of hundreds of men and women, who had contributed greatly to the success that Waterford glass was, the late Pat Fitzgerald held the position of branch chairman of the old 11/64 branch. 'He was in that time a full time union convenor and prior would have been the blowing craft department union representative on the union branch of the ATGWU and late Unite the Union. 'I see where many tributes to him have appeared on social media and on the print media, since his death was announced publicly last evening. To his children, Wayne, Joanne and Karl, his mother, his grandchildren and family extended sincere sympathy. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dilis.' Friends of the family wrote: 'Our deepest sympathy to the extended Fitzgerald family on the passing of Pat. He was a person of principle, honour and integrity who was deeply committed to the trade union movement and represented the workforce of Waterford Crystal with distinction and he leaves behind a legacy that will endure forever. May Pat now rest in peace.' On Friday gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of the incident at a residential property in St Catherine's Grange shortly after 2pm. Mr Fitzgerald, aged in his 70s, was discovered at the scene with injuries and in an unresponsive condition. He was transported to University Hospital Waterford for treatment and was pronounced dead on Sunday, August 3. A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene during the incident and subsequently detained at a garda station within the Waterford-Kilkenny Division under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He was later charged in relation to the investigation and appeared before Waterford District Court on Sunday, August 3. The local coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist were notified and a post mortem was carried out. A technical and forensic examination at the scene has been completed. A senior investigating officer (SIO) is leading the investigation and a family liaison officer (FLO) is providing support to the deceased's family. An incident room has been established at Waterford Garda Station. Investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station 051 305 300 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Investigations are ongoing and further updates will follow, added a Garda spokesperson. The widower was predeceased by his wife Kathleen, his father Jack, brother Mark and nephew Luke. He is survived by his adult children Wayne, Joanne and Karl, his mother Maura, eight siblings, his four grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and friends.
