Latest news with #RemingtonM1911
The Journal
7 days ago
- General
- The Journal
Large quantity of chemicals found inside barrel at Carlow gunman's bedroom
GARDAÍ INVESTIGATING THE Carlow shopping centre shooting found a large quantity of chemicals inside a barrel at the home of the shooter. 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. Advertisement 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. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
03-06-2025
- Extra.ie
Gardaí opposed bail for gunman at Carlow supermarket
A man who fired a shotgun in a crowded shopping centre in Co Carlow had 'a fascination with firearms' and was on bail facing charges of possessing automatic weapons he bought on the 'dark web'. It has also emerged that at a previous court hearing, gardaí opposed bail for Evan Fitzgerald, 22, who caused panic when he discharged the gun at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town on Sunday evening, before fatally turning the weapon on himself following a stand-off with armed gardaí. The incident, in which a nine-year-old girl suffered minor injuries as she tried to flee, has sparked deep concerns over our bail regime, and there were calls last night for a wider review of laws in this area. Emergency services close to the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire Fitzgerald was due in court later this week to face 13 charges relating to the alleged possession of guns, ammunition and explosive materials. Despite Garda objections, he was granted bail on a surety of €1,000 at a sitting of Naas District Court in March 2024, where he and two co-accused were charged with possession of a G3 Heckler and Koch machine gun, a Remington M1911 handgun and two types of ammunition at Ponsonby Bridge, Straffan, Co. Kildare. Detective Garda Gavin Curran of the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau told the court: 'Mr Fitzgerald has a fascination with firearms. He is big time into firearms and ammunition.' A file image of Evan Fitzgerald. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin The release of a suspect facing 'very serious firearms charges' has prompted fresh calls for a review of Ireland's bail laws. Garda sources have told that Fitzgerald, of Portrushen, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow, had an obsession with firearms from an early age and was 'hellbent' on possessing rifles. 'Evan wanted automatic weapons. What we know is that he had a fascination with this type of gun,' a security source told 'It's not like he wanted a pistol or something of that nature. He wanted a machine gun, something capable of huge damage. He had this fascination as a young teenager, which developed over time.' At a press conference yesterday, Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman said no one was injured by the shots discharged, but a young girl suffered a minor leg injury after falling while running from the scene. Emergency services near the scene at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire 'This was meant to be a normal day out on a bank holiday weekend,' she said. 'This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre yesterday evening.' In March last year, Fitzgerald and two accomplices were stopped by officers investigating firearms trafficking with support from the Emergency Response Unit. It was alleged that the firearms and ammunition were purchased by Fitzgerald on the so-called 'dark web' – a hidden part of the internet frequently used for the sale of illicit goods such as drugs and guns – using an encrypted 'proton' email account. Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hillman. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos Detective Garda Curran said that under questioning by gardaí, Fitzgerald made 'full and frank admissions related to the purchase of these firearms', for which he had paid €2,700. The firearms were handed over to gardaí in a face-to-face meeting. While gardaí believed the weapons were purchased as part of a 'hobby' and were to be used for shooting in the woods, they raised concerns that they could have fallen into the hands of serious criminals. Gardaí had objected to bail in court, but acceded under strict conditions, including that Fitzgerald not contact the other two accused, adhere to a curfew between midnight and 6 am and avoid illegal activity online. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Matt Carthy TD. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Sinn Féin's justice spokesman, Matt Carthy, said that it was deeply concerning that the gunman was on bail for very serious firearms charges. Writing on today, he welcomes an upcoming review of bail for repeat offenders promised by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan, but said yesterday that there needs to be a wider review of the enforcement and operation of the nation's bail laws. He highlighted figures on firearms offences by those on bail, which were revealed to him in May. saying: 'In March, I received a reply to a parliamentary question that revealed that 40,348 crimes committed in 2024 were committed by those on bail. 'This was a shocking number and I made the point then that bail laws would need to be examined…. A number of weeks ago, I received further details regarding the number of very serious crimes committed by those on bail, including sexual assaults, robberies, possession of offensive weapons and possession of firearms. 'If we are to deliver safer communities and reduce the level of crime, we cannot accept a situation where this level of crime, particularly very serious crimes, are being carried out by those on bail.' He added: 'The fact that the person who carried out the shooting at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow was on bail, having been charged with offences associated with purchasing an assault rifle on the dark web, raises many questions. 'This weapon was seized along with a handgun and multiple types of ammunition, and he was arrested by specialist gardaí from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, who were assisted by armed officers from the Emergency Response Unit. This tells us just how serious a matter this was. 'We are extremely lucky that no one else was seriously injured or killed in this incident.' A spokeswoman for Minister O'Callaghan said yesterday: 'The minister will not comment specifically on yesterday's incident in Carlow beyond his statement already issued as it remains a live Garda investigation.' When asked about a wider review of bail laws, they pointed to the minister's 'recent announcement that Lorcan Staines SC is to assess current bail laws and make any recommendations he believes are appropriate, taking into account the requirements of constitutional justice.'
The Journal
02-06-2025
- The Journal
Man who fired shots in Carlow shopping centre before he died was on bail for firearm offences
THE MAN AT the centre of the Fairgreen Shopping Centre shooting incident in Carlow last night was on bail for serious firearms offences. The man in his early 20s was before the courts last year when he was charged with offences associated with an assault rifle he bought on the dark web. The Heckler and Koch G3 rifle was seized along with a Remington M1911 handgun and multiple types of ammunition. He had since been charged with possession of other guns and with ammunition possession. 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. Advertisement He was set to hear a date for his trial, having appeared before court again last month. Sources have said that he went to the shopping centre armed on Sunday evening at around 6.15pm and fired a number of shots. It is believed that he was killed by his own firearm. The firearm found in Carlow yesterday is believed by gardaí to have been legally held. An Irish Defence Forces soldier (face blurred) at the scene in Carlow with a bomb disposal robot. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Gardaí from the Emergency Response Unit were tasked with raiding his house last night and were assisted by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) soldiers also. At the scene in Carlow, an EOD team assisted gardaí to search the man's remains because he had a bottle shaped object strapped to his body. That examination was ongoing last night. A garda spokesman confirmed a young girl received minor injuries in the incident but it is not known how she was injured. Related Reads Man dead after shooting incident at Carlow shopping centre 'An Garda Síochána are currently at the scene, with the shopping centre and car park cordoned off. The cordon will remain in place overnight,' An Garda Síochána said last night. 'A white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene. 'The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend. 'A female juvenile received treatment from paramedics following the incident but did not require hospital care. It's undetermined at this time as to how those injuries were sustained.' Gardaí have requested that anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident does not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead provides it to Gardaí 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. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
