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Irish Times
3 days ago
- Irish Times
Carlow gunman tried to start fire in shopping centre, used gun stolen from legal owner
Evan Fitzgerald, who ended his own life after firing shots inside a Carlow shopping centre last weekend, used a shotgun that was legally registered to a person who lived close to him and from whom he stole the gun. Gardaí believe he was motivated by the desire to take his own life, perhaps engineering a situation requiring armed officers to open fire. The Irish Times has also learned the 22-year-old had attracted the attention of security guards at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow Town before the shooting began, at about 6.15pm last Sunday, as he was seen kneeling on the ground. It was unclear if he was praying or kneeling for another,reason. Mr Fitzgerald, who was described as 'vulnerable' by a source who had dealings with him, also tried to start a fire inside the shopping centre. READ MORE Though he was not successful in those efforts, gardaí believe he may have been trying to ignite a container of flammable liquid he had with him. [ Judge overseeing firearms case against Carlow gunman says court cannot overrule Garda consent to bail Opens in new window ] The liquid was a mix of alcohol and other combustible material. Gardaí were concerned about the container Mr Fitzgerald, from Portrushen, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, was carrying. They requested assistance from a Defence Forces explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team to examine the container and make it safe if required. Mr Fitzgerald's remains were left at the scene until the EOD team arrived and carried out an eight hour examination before declaring the area safe. Though the liquid was not a viable explosive or incendiary device in the form it was found, it could have exploded if it came into contact with a raw flame. In the hours after the incident, a second Defence Forces EOD team was asked to examine a property linked to Mr Fitzgerald after gardaí had gone there to search it. Another batch of the same liquid was discovered, as well as a small amount of ammunition. The Defence Forces personnel examined that property in an operation lasting nine hours, until almost 6.30am on Monday. Once that private dwelling was declared safe, a Garda search took place there. Mr Fitzgerald, a former steel yard worker, was on bail at the time of his death as he had been charged last March with firearms and explosives offences. He was alleged to be in possession of two guns seized in Co Kildare; a G3 Heckler & Koch machine gun and a Remington M1911 handgun bought on the darknet. In a follow-up operation, involving a search at a property linked to Mr Fitzgerald, gardaí found powders used to make explosive devices and ammunition for a range of guns. He had a 'fascination' with firearms, said a Garda member who gave evidence when Mr Fitzgerald first appeared in court to face the charges last year. Several young men he was close to are believed to share his interest in guns. However, a number of friends of Mr Fitzgerald who have been spoken to as part of the investigation into last weekend's incident have told gardaí they were shocked by his actions.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Irish Times
Two bunches of flowers lie outside Fairgreen Shopping Centre following ‘terrible' fatal shooting
The marks of a concentrated number of shots can be seen in the 'o' of the Tesco sign at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Co Carlow. Outside the premises, two bunches of flowers have been laid close to where gunman Evan Fitzgerald died on Sunday evening. The busy centre was the scene of chaos and fear, when at 6.15pm, as shoppers filled their trolleys for the week ahead, the 22-year-old, from Kiltegan, Co Wicklow, entered carrying a shotgun. He discharged shots into the air a number of times, causing shoppers to flea. Outside the building, he fatally wounded himself after being challenged by gardaí. No one else was shot during the incident. On Wednesday, Geraldine Nolan (64), who regularly shops at the Tesco, sat in a coffee shop in the centre with her five-month-old grandson on her lap. READ MORE [ Carlow gunman Evan Fitzgerald had bail conditions relaxed prior to trial date Opens in new window ] She was 'shocked' by the 'terrible' events that occurred here days earlier, she says. She is mindful of the effect witnessing the shooting will have on people working in the centre at the time and glad workers and customers were not seriously injured. Her thoughts too are with the deceased, she said, : 'It's hard on his family too.' Her daughter Vanessa (33) is also coming to terms with the shock what occurred in their locality. 'You don't expect something like that to happen in a small town. It's not something that's normalised,' she says. John Brophy, manager of the centre, says uncertainty pervaded in the aftermath of the shooting and it was 'very hard to know what was going on'. However, gardaí, fire services and bomb squad were 'exemplary in the way they conducted themselves over the couple of days', he says. At the time of the incident, Tesco was the only shop still open in the centre, he says. [ Carlow gunman Evan Fitzgerald (22) had 'a fascination with firearms' Opens in new window ] He is mindful that security staff, Tesco employees and customers witnessed the shooting. The deceased young man and his family are also in his thoughts, and he is keen that they are 'respected', he says. Counselling is being provided to the Tesco employees and the centre's security staff. In Carlow town's Primary Care Centre, the Health Service (HSE) has implemented a counselling service for the public to avail of in the aftermath of the event. A HSE representative said the service has been 'busy'.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Local man speaks about giving refuge to people during Carlow shooting
Carlow's Fairgreen Shopping Center reopened on Wednesday following a shooting incident which left one man dead and a nine-year-old girl injured. Wicklow man Evan Fitzgerald fired a number of shots inside the Tesco supermarket at the Shopping Centre at around 6:15pm on Sunday. Advertisement The 22-year-old Kiltegan man was fatally injured during the incident, after he turned a shot-gun on himself. A girl sustained minor injuries running from the scene, was attended to by paramedics at the scene and was subsequently taken home by relatives. Gardaí and emergency response teams rushed to the scene and cordoned off a wide area. John Brophy manager of the shopping centre thanked those for the public's 'understanding and patience'. In a statement Mr Brophy said: "To all Managers, staff, customers, our own security team and the Front Line services, Gardaí, Fire Services etc. we offer sincere thanks and appreciation.' Advertisement Gardaí have yet to give clearance for Tesco supermarket to reopen. A father-of-three who was in his front garden in Carlow town on Sunday evening with his children when shooter Evan Fitzgerald entered Fairgreen Shopping Centre gave refuge to dozens terrified shoppers running from the complex as 'mayhem' broke out. Pa Cahill (48) who lives in the adjoining New Oak Housing Estate was painting chairs for his mother in his front garden while his children aged nine to four were playing alongside him. Mr Cahill outlined what he saw and did to help on Sunday evening. Advertisement 'I was in the front garden painting chairs for my mother and my children, two girls and a boy were out playing too, when I heard loud bangs and pops. I was wondering why would people be using fireworks at this time of year, as that couldn't be right.' 'Next thing I saw when I began looking around where dozens of people running down our road from the shopping centre. They were screaming, shouting and absolutely terrified. Some were even gasping for breath. Many were from the Asian community and all ages.' Mr Cahill, rushed his children inside his house and went back out and also ushered them into his sitting room. 'It was mostly women who were running and they were really, really shocked and visibly shaking. They asked me could they come in and of course I let as many as I could into the house. Advertisement "I didn't have time to think about what was unfolding as I wanted to make sure my own children were alright and those who were looking for help. "It happened in a blink of an eye being honest. I would never turn anyone away who needed help let alone something like this. It's not the Irish thing to do. 'I then went up the road and looked over the wall at the centre and I could see gardaí everywhere dealing with what was happening. He went back to the house and tried to re-assure them that everything was under control. About 30 minutes later it was evident that it was safe around the centre and area so the group of people felt it was ok to leave. Advertisement The father said that the community in the housing estate was very close knit but that people are still 'weary and unsure' of themselves after the incident. 'My children are still asking questions about what occurred. My youngest is asking if 'the shooting will happen again,' so it's important to explain as much as you think they are able to cope with and understand,' added Mr Cahill. Ireland Ikea restaurant to offer half-price meals on weekd... Read More He said: 'You never think something like this would happen in Ireland let alone Carlow. You hear about such incidents in the US but not hear. "People here in the town and county are truly devastated over what has happened.' Mr Cahill also praised Tesco and the shopping centre staff for their brave efforts in helping people affected. The HSE is continuing to offer support in the community in response to the 'traumatic events'. On Wednesday, the HSE Dublin and South East psychology staff will again be available in Carlow Primary Care Centre between 9am and 5pm. The HSE said: 'This is a support service to anyone impacted by last Sunday's events in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
Carlow shooting: Taoiseach criticises spreading of ‘blatant misinformation and lies' online
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has criticised 'blatant misinformation, untruths and lies' surrounding a shooting incident at a shopping centre in Co Carlow . It comes after a man died in the incident at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town on Sunday. Gardaí said the man, named locally as Evan Fitzgerald, aged in his 20s, from Kiltegan in Co Wicklow , had earlier walked through the retail premises firing a shotgun in the air. A spokeswoman said he then shot himself, after being challenged by armed gardaí. READ MORE Gardaí said no one else was injured by any of the shots fired, but a young girl sustained a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the centre. Speaking to reporters on his way to Cabinet on Wednesday, Mr Martin said he had seen incorrect information about the incident online as he defended moves to regulate internet misinformation by saying he believes some people overstate the 'dangers to freedom of speech' posed by such measures. Mr Martin said he had seen social media posts that seven people had been killed in the incident, and that 'people had been shot who had not been shot'. He said misinformation can result in a lot of 'public disquiet' and needs to be addressed. 'There is a family in mourning right now. The level of misinformation on Sunday was quite shocking, and we can't just ignore that and say: 'Well, we don't have to do anything about that.'' [ Evan Fitzgerald: Carlow gunman was due in court to face 13 firearms and explosives charges Opens in new window ] Asked about whether regulations on misinformation could have an impact on a person's right to free speech, Mr Martin said: 'It's absolutely important that Government focuses on this issue. 'Obviously, in any analysis and evaluation of policy, account will be taken in respect of protecting freedom of speech – but it's not freedom of speech, really, when it's just a blatant lie and untruth which can create a lot of public disquiet, as we've seen. 'So these issues do need to be addressed, there are challenging issues. There are very strong protections in our Constitution and in our laws on freedom of speech. 'So I wouldn't overstate the impact on clamping down on blatant lies online as a sort of incursion or an undermining of freedom of speech. 'We believe in freedom of speech in this country, we will always support it and protect it.' Pressed on the matter, Mr Martin added: 'I believe some people are overstating the dangers to freedom of speech in efforts to address disinformation and untruths. 'I think we have to do that too. The same focus doesn't seem to apply to [the] untrue part of this or the misinformation part of this – there needs to be focus on that too.' -PA
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
‘Shocking' level of misinformation around Carlow shooting, Taoiseach says
The Taoiseach has criticised 'blatant misinformation, untruths and lies' surrounding a shooting incident at a shopping centre in Co Carlow. It comes after a man died in the incident at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town on Sunday. Advertisement Gardaí said the man, named locally as Evan Fitzgerald, in his 20s, from Kiltegan in Co Wicklow, had earlier walked through the retail premises firing a shotgun in the air. A spokeswoman said he then shot himself, after being challenged by armed gardaí. Gardaí said no-one else was injured by any of the shots fired, but a young girl sustained a minor leg injury when she fell while running from the centre. Speaking to reporters on his way to Cabinet on Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he had seen incorrect information about the incident online as he defended moves to regulate internet misinformation by saying he believes some people overstate the 'dangers to freedom of speech' posed by such measures. Advertisement Mr Martin said he had seen social media posts that seven people had been killed in the incident, and that 'people had been shot who had not been shot'. He said misinformation can result in a lot of 'public disquiet' and needs to be addressed. 'There is a family in mourning right now. The level of misinformation on Sunday was quite shocking, and we can't just ignore that and say: 'Well, we don't have to do anything about that.'' Asked about whether regulations on misinformation could have an impact on a person's right to free speech, Mr Martin said: 'It's absolutely important that Government focuses on this issue. Advertisement 'Obviously, in any analysis and evaluation of policy, account will be taken in respect of protecting freedom of speech – but it's not freedom of speech, really, when it's just a blatant lie and untruth which can create a lot of public disquiet, as we've seen. 'So these issues do need to be addressed, there are challenging issues. There are very strong protections in our Constitution and in our laws on freedom of speech. 'So I wouldn't overstate the impact on clamping down on blatant lies online as a sort of incursion or an undermining of freedom of speech. 'We believe in freedom of speech in this country, we will always support it and protect it.' Advertisement Pressed on the matter, Mr Martin added: 'I believe some people are overstating the dangers to freedom of speech in efforts to address disinformation and untruths. 'I think we have to do that too. The same focus doesn't seem to apply to be untrue part of this or the misinformation part of this – there needs to be focus on that too.'
