Latest news with #CarlowTown
Irish Times
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Panic and fear over Carlow shooting turns to shock
The 'panic and fear' felt during a shooting incident at a Carlow shopping centre on Sunday evening has since turned into 'shock amongst the community, that something like this could happen', said Mayor of Carlow County Council Fintan Phelan. 'This was a regular bank holiday Sunday with people going about their business,' he said. 'For it to totally change in the manner it did ... it's very distressing for all those caught up in it,' he added. The alarm was raised at about 6.15pm, with gardaí rushing to the Fairgreen shopping centre after receiving reports of a gun being discharged inside the premises. READ MORE The armed man fired several rounds and the fatal shot was self-inflicted. A young girl also suffered minor injuries while fleeing the shopping centre and received medical treatment Mr Phelan praised staff at the centre who went 'above and beyond' to make sure their customers were safe. He said gardaí and other first responders arrived 'extremely quickly'. 'We're very lucky we're not dealing with a different situation this morning,' said Mr Phelan. The incident occurred at the main shopping centre in Carlow town, where 'rarely would you ever have trouble', he said. [ Lone man fired shots into air in 'terrifying' incident at Carlow shopping centre, says Garda Opens in new window ] 'It's a nice community here, and Carlow town is safe, so for something like this to happen is incredibly unusual and worrying.' Minister of State for Public Health, and Carlow TD, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor said incidents of this nature are 'rare' and something 'we never want or expect to witness or happen in any of our communities'. Ms Murnane O'Connor said her thoughts are with the community and the families affected, including those who continue to work at the scene and investigate the circumstances. 'I urge anyone who has information to speak to the gardaí as soon as possible, to only use verified news channels for factual information, and to disregard misinformation and speculative comments currently circulating on social media,' she said. Fine Gael Cllr Fergal Browne said emergency services 'reacted quickly to the unfolding events' and he was 'relieved' the young girl will make a full recovery. 'It was terrifying for her and her family and anyone caught up in the event,' he said. [ Man dead after shots fired in Carlow shopping centre, Army bomb disposal team called to scene Opens in new window ] 'People were running from the centre, roaring, crying and running for their lives. It was, apparently, awful,' he said. Cllr Browne said people living in the area thought the shots they heard were fireworks. 'You're not expecting that on a bank holiday Sunday in Carlow. When reality dawned on people, what was happening, it was hard to take in. It was just mad,' he added. Carlow County Council is providing support alongside the Health Service Executive to people affected by the incident. On Monday, the council said it is supporting the HSE in providing psychosocial support for people affected by the events. 'HSE staff will be available to talk to anyone affected from 1pm to 5pm today at County Buildings, Athy Road,' it said.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Man dead after shots fired in Carlow shopping centre, Army bomb disposal team at scene
Gardaí were on Sunday night at the scene of a security incident at a shopping centre in Carlow Town during which shots were fired and a man was fatally wounded. Though gardaí said there was no further concern for public safety, a Defence Forces explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team was asked to attend the scene at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre. Gardaí suspect the dead man was carrying devices, which could be explosive or flammable, and that they were on his person at the scene. His remains were due to be examined, to determine if any devices needed to be made safe. As a result, the man's remains on Sunday night lay where he died, with Garda Headquarters confirming in a statement 'a white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene'. READ MORE A young girl also suffered minor injuries and received medical treatment at the shopping centre before going home with family members. She was not wounded and did not require hospitalisation. The alarm was raised at about 6.15pm, with gardaí rushing to the shopping centre after receiving reports of a gun being discharged inside the premises. The armed man fired a number of shots and the fatal shot was self-inflicted. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan expressed his 'solidarity with those impacted' by the 'really shocking incident', which was 'something we never want or expect to happen in our communities'. 'Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case,' he added. 'The area in Carlow is safe. We must now allow An Garda Síochána to investigate this incident fully.' Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris said he had been briefed by Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy about the assistance his Defence Forces personnel were providing to the operation. He was 'thinking of' the young injured girl and her family as well as 'all those who witnessed this situation and the awful shock and upset it must have caused them'. The shopping centre and its car park were set to remain sealed off overnight as gardaí continued their investigations, including the EOD team checks. They were due to be followed by the removal of the dead man's remains and a forensic examination of the scene. Though video footage of some of the incident unfolding was shared on social media, the Garda urged people not to share videos, including on messaging apps. It has asked anyone who recorded the incident to make their footage available to investigating gardaí based in Carlow town. 'The (retail) premises has been evacuated and the scene is preserved,' the Garda statement confirmed. 'The Army EOD team has been requested to attend. At this time, there is no further concern for public safety.'
Irish Times
3 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Man dead, girl (9) injured after shots fired in Carlow shopping centre
Gardaí are the scene of a major security incident in Carlow Town during which shots were fired and one person was fatally wounded. A nine-year-old girl also suffered a leg injury. Her injuries are not life-threatening. Though gardaí said there is no further concern for public safety, a Defence Forces explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team has been asked to attend the scene at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre. It is understood gardaí have sought assistance from the EOD team as they suspect a device the dead man was carrying, which could be explosive or flammable, is at the scene and its status must be checked before the area can be declared safe. READ MORE The alarm was raised at about 6.15pm. When gardaí arrived into the area they confronted an armed man who appears to have discharged a number of shots. Though video footage of some of the incident unfolding has been shared on social media, Garda Headquarters has issued a statement urging people not to share videos, including on messaging apps. It has requested anyone in the area at the time, and who recorded the incident, to make that footage available to investigating gardaí based in Carlow town. 'The (retail) premises has been evacuated and the scene is preserved,' the Garda statement confirmed. 'The Army EOD team has been requested to attend. At this time, there is no further concern for public safety.' The operation involved Garda and Defence Forces personnel, as well as paramedics, and was continuing on Sunday evening. Garda Headquarters said no further information was available 'at this time'.
