
Carlow shooting: Scene declared safe by bomb squad as gardai issue update
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The scene of a fatal shooting incident at a Co Carlow supermarket has been declared safe after an examination by Irish army explosives officers, gardai have said.
A man in his 20s died in the incident at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre on Sunday evening. Gardai responded at around 6.15pm after reports of several shots being fired at the Tesco store.
It appears that the dead man's wounds were self-inflicted. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit was called to the scene and specialist robots were deployed to examine the man's body and surrounding area.
On Monday morning, gardai said the area had been declared safe. Taoiseach Micheal Martin, said he was 'deeply shocked and saddened' at the incident.
One local councillor told how people ran terrified from the shopping centre in Carlow town as shots were fired. A girl sustained minor injuries in the incident but did not require hospital treatment.
Gardai have said the man who died was a white Irish male. The scene remained cordoned off on Monday morning as both the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist conducted examinations.
An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) appointed to lead the investigation. Gardai said a family liaison officer was providing support to the dead man's family.
Local Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne said people in the town had been left terrified. 'People were obviously terrified, a bank holiday Sunday, going into town to do their shopping,' he told PA.
'People ran from the centre crying and upset. There was a bunch of foreign students in the area, who could not believe they were caught up in the middle of all of it.
'It's a busy spot. We launched a photographic exhibition there on Friday night in the shopping centre. It's very upsetting for everyone who was involved in it or who witnessed it.'
Gardai have appealed for witnesses to come forward. They have also urged anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead provide it directly to the investigating team.
Their full statement reads: "Gardaí in Carlow continue to investigate all circumstances surrounding the discharge of a firearm and the death of a man in his 20s following an incident at Fairgreen Shopping Centre, Carlow, on Sunday, 1st June 2025. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit has completed its examination and the area has been declared safe.
"The scene remains cordoned off while both the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist conduct examinations. An update will be issued when cars parked within the cordon can be retrieved.
"An incident room has been established at Carlow Garda Station, with a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) appointed to lead the investigation. A Family Liaison Officer is providing support to the deceased's family at this time.
"Investigating Gardaí once again urge anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it directly to the investing team. Anyone present at Fairgreen Shopping Centre between approximately 6:00pm and 6:30pm yesterday evening is asked to contact the incident room at Carlow Garda Station.
"Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111. Investigations are ongoing."
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