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Dublin Live
03-06-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
Carlow shooter facing serious criminal charges was 'terrified of going to prison'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The man who shot himself in front of shoppers in Carlow was facing serious criminal charges – and was terrified of going to jail, it has emerged. Sources have also told The Irish Mirror that Evan Fitzgerald, who took his own life after firing several shots inside the town's Fairgreen Centre on Sunday evening, was facing up to 14 years in jail over the charges – and was due up in court on them again on Wednesday. But we have learned he had told people he was afraid of going to prison over the 13 charges – relating to firearms and explosives charges. Sources say Fitzgerald, 22, took a legally-held shotgun that was registered to an associate on Sunday afternoon and then headed to the Carlow shopping centre – where he caused panic by firing several shots in the air. He then walked outside and, when challenged by armed gardai, turned the shotgun on himself. He died instantly in the horror shooting. We have learned that Mr Fitzgerald, of Portrushen Upper, Kiltegan, Rathvilly, Co Carlow, was due at Naas District Court in Co Kildare this week, where he was to be served with the book of evidence in his case – which meant he was to stand trial in front of a judge and jury later this year. He was charged under anti-firearms and explosives legislation and was facing up to 14 years behind bars if he was convicted. But the case against him cannot now proceed. Mr Fitzgerald was 22 and had an address at Portrushen Upper, Kiltegan, Rathvilly, Co Carlow, close to the border with Wicklow. It is about 27km from the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow Town, where he caused panic on Sunday evening. We have confirmed that Mr Fitzgerald was on bail on serious firearms and explosives charges when he went to Fairgreen and opened fire. Sources tell us gardai now believe he did not intend to target anyone else in the incident – which officers now think was a gruesome public suicide. "He did not shoot at anyone else and we believe he did not want to. The shots he fired were not aimed at anyone," a source told us. The steel worker – who a court previously heard had a fascination with guns – was charged over an incident at Straffan in Co Kildare last year. Detectives from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau charged Mr Fitzgerald over the incident in which officers seized a German-made Heckler and Koch G3 assault rifle and an America Colt M1911 semi-automatic pistol. Gardai believe he bought the items on the dark web. A court heard the guns were seized following an intelligence-led operation into alleged firearms trafficking. Gardaí, including from DOCB and The Emergency Response Unit, conducted a controlled stop on a vehicle and seized the firearms and ammunition, the court heard. Mr Fitzgerald, who was on bail, last appeared in court on May 7 and was remanded to this coming Wednesday. He was facing 13 charges. Two were for allegedly possessing the firearms at Ponsonby Bridge, Straffan Road, Co. Kildare on March 2 last year. He also faced two separate charges of possessing 22 rounds of .45 ACP calibre ammunition and 20 rounds of .308 Winchester ammunition on the same date and location. Mr Fitzgerald was also facing a further nine charges, all also allegedly committed on March 2 last year – but this time it is alleged they were committed at Portrushen Upper, Kiltegan, Rathvilly, Co Carlow. Mr Fitzgerald was alleged to have possessed: 23 rounds of Ammunition Suitable for use in Appropriately Chambered Rifles 69 shotgun cartridges Four rounds for pistol and revolvers One round of .450" Calibre Bullet suitable for use in Large Bore Centrefire Rifles One magazine suitable for use in 7.62x39mm Calibre AK-47 rifles One magazine suitable for use in Tokarev Calibre TT-33 Pistols One magazine suitable for use in Makarov Calibre PM Pistols The explosive substance of Potassium Nitrate, Sulphur and Charcoal (Black Powder) explosive mixture The explosive substance of Ammonium Perchlorate, Potassium Perchlorate, Sulphur and Magnalium He had not yet entered any plea in the case and no evidence was heard at the May 7 appearance. He is now understood to have taken a legally-held shotgun registered to an associate and used it to fire several shots in the air inside Fairgreen Shopping Centre at around 6.15pm on Sunday night. Garda Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, who is in charge of policing in the eastern region that includes Carlow, visited the scene yesterday – and revealed further details of the horror incident. She said unarmed gardai responded to multiple reports of shooting – and when they got there were met by scores of people trying to escape. She said: "An unarmed uniform unit arriving at the scene observed the suspect exiting the shopping centre. The suspect discharged a firearm, a shotgun, into the air. "Another plainclothes armed Garda unit responding drew their official firearms and identified themselves as armed gardaí. "The suspect discharged the firearm again, self-inflicting a fatal wound." And she revealed: "No member of An Garda Síochána discharged a weapon. "An Garda Síochána now understands that the lone male had walked through the shopping centre and had discharged the firearm, into the air, on a number of occasions. "No person was injured by the shots discharged." She added that the nine-year-old girl injured in the incident suffered a slight leg wound as she escaped the scene with her parents. The Assistant Commissioner added: "This was meant to be a normal day out on a Bank Holiday weekend. This was a terrifying experience for every person that was present in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre yesterday evening. "An Garda Síochána implemented a cordon around the Fairgreen Shopping Centre and carpark. "A bottle containing an unknown substance was observed by Gardaí on the deceased. An Garda Síochána requested the assistance of the Irish Defence Forces EOD team to examine the unknown device. "An EOD team from Collins Barracks, Cork attended the scene late last night. Following examination, the EOD team declared the scene safe." The Defence Forces told us EOD officers were called to two locations – the shopping centre and a private residence. No explosives were found at either site. A spokesman said: "Yesterday, two Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams were deployed at the request for assistance from An Garda Síochána in relation to suspected devices at both Fairgreen Shopping Centre and a private residence. Following an assessment by the EOD Teams, no viable device was found at Fairgreen Shopping Centre and at the private residence, 2 rounds of ammunition were found, along with a barrel containing a mix of alcohol and energetic material. "The EOD Teams handed the scenes over to the AGS and returned to barracks, concluding the operation. The Fairgreen EOD Team deployed at 2040hrs and returned at 0420hrs and the private residence EOD Team deployed at 2126hrs and returned at 0616hrs." The area around Fairgreen was sealed off all day yesterday but in the late afternoon, gardai began allowing motorists entry to pick up their vehicles. Mr Fitzgerald's body was yesterday afternoon removed to the mortuary in Dublin where a post-mortem will take place today. Gardai have repeated their calls for witnesses to come forward. The force said: "Gardaí are continuing to appeal for witnesses to this incident. 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. Carlow. Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059 9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111." Gardai have also referred the incident to Fiosru, the new name for the independent policing watchdog formerly known as GSOC, or the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission. Meanwhile, Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Matt Carthy last night said he was deeply concerned that Fitzgerald was on bail for serious firearms offences when he went to the shopping centre armed with a shotgun. He said: "Our laws must ensure that the most dangerous criminals are behind bars. "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 which has shocked the community in Carlow." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. 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Time of India
25-05-2025
- Time of India
Chaos at Melbourne's Northland shopping centre amid machete brawl
A routine Sunday afternoon(May 25) turned into a scene of panic at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston, Melbourne, as a violent altercation involving machetes led to a full lockdown of the complex. Victoria Police responded swiftly to reports of "numerous people fighting" at the shopping centre on Murray Road. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene where individuals wielded large knives, prompting shoppers to seek refuge inside stores as police and emergency services arrived en masse. 'The shopping centre has been locked down while the incident is ongoing. When we have further information and have confirmed specifics, we will update all media. We do not have anything further at this stage.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like OMEA Award for Indian Manufacturers ansoim Learn More Undo Unverified videos circulating on social media depict a man brandishing a machete, lunging at two others who appeared to be fleeing. Other footage shows police officers restraining a man on the ground, while bystanders watch in shock. One shopper, identified as Bill, recounted the harrowing experience on 3AW radio, stating, "My daughter was inside. She called me, terrified. I told her to stay hidden until it was safe." He urged others to avoid the area until authorities declared it secure. Live Events The incident has reignited concerns about safety at Northland Shopping Centre, which has a history of violent episodes. In recent years, the centre has been the site of several assaults and disturbances, leading to increased security measures It remains unclear how many individuals were injured during the melee. Victoria Police have not released detailed information but confirmed that the situation is under investigation. They have assured the public that updates will be provided as more facts are confirmed. Northland Shopping Centre, opened in 1966, is one of Melbourne's largest retail complexes, housing over 330 stores and serving as a central hub for the northern suburbs.
The Citizen
29-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Grayston Drive's sewage leak crisis
A persistent sewage leak on Grayston Drive, directly opposite the Grayston Shopping Centre, has become a major nuisance for motorists, pedestrians, and nearby businesses. For the past few weeks, the stench has been unbearable, with passersby often seen covering their noses to avoid the foul odour. The leak, which appears to be ongoing, has raised serious concerns about public health and environmental safety. Workers in the surrounding area, including those at the popular Grayston Shopping Centre, said that the smell seeps into buildings and makes for an unpleasant working environment. Also read: Unauthorised occupation of Grayston drive pedestrian bridge raises concerns Drivers and commuters have also expressed frustration, saying that the smell is strong enough to permeate their vehicles, even with windows closed. Despite the clear signs of distress in the area, a resolution appears to be slow. A Johannesburg Water (JW) truck was spotted at the site on April 15, suggesting that authorities may be investigating, or addressing the issue, however, there has been no official communication, or confirmation, about the cause of the leak, or the timeline for repairs. Read more: Rosewalk Gardens' fire safety measure leak fixed by JW We reached out to the utility for comment and clarification on when residents and businesses can expect relief from the ongoing sewage problem, but received no response by the time of publication. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Scottish Sun
23-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular English beach town to be transformed with £30million overhaul of ‘rundown' shopping centre
The seaside town's shopping centre struggled to stay afloat but is now opening up a string of exciting new businesses SEASIDE RESURGENCE Popular English beach town to be transformed with £30million overhaul of 'rundown' shopping centre Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR English seaside town is getting a major £30million overhaul to revitalise its "rundown" shopping centre. The once bustling shopping hub is getting an impressive multimillion-pound facelift - to attract back millions of tourists ahead of summer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 A British coastal town is set to get a £30million makeover Credit: Alamy 6 The beachside county has seen dwindling visitor numbers recently Credit: Alamy 6 Its iconic and once bustling shopping centre is benefiting from the multimillion-pound facelift Credit: Alamy Coastal town Penzance's iconic Wharfside Shopping Centre has already opened a wave of brand-new independent businesses in recent months. And the ambitious project has even more exciting openings on the horizon. It comes as tourism across Cornwall is hoping for a big comeback after visitor numbers across the beachside county sunk to a 10-year-low. A whopping £30million has been injected into Penzance as part of its revamp initiative. Wharfside has already welcomed Cork & Fork restaurant and wine bar to its list of new locations as part of the coastal town upgrade. The family-run business serves up fresh produce and seafood from local farms. Two more diners are now set to be added to the mall's résumé - and they will serve up Thai food and pizza respectively. Thai Moon is set to open its doors, serving up authentic cuisine to attract tourists and locals alike. Meanwhile Fred's Microbrewery will dish out fresh pizzas and authentic micro-brewed ales when it opens up in the near future. European beach city reveals new £319million seaside attraction to open Wharfside Shopping Centre has been open for business since 1999. For years it was a bustling hub of well known chain stores in Penzance, and hosted a few independent stores and eateries. But coming up to 2019 and 2020, the mall became "rundown", with many shops shutting down for good and leaving the once popular hotspot. Since last year, the shopping centre has started to benefit from an ambitious facelift. Independent stores and new restaurants pop up frequently amid the flashy overhaul. The Wharfside PZ website said that the £30million investment would allow the area to "thrive and flourish further". They said: "We're proud to be a part of this success. "In fact, we've played an active role in transforming our town's retail fortunes." 6 Whafside Shopping Centre in Penzance has been operating since 1999 Credit: Alamy 6 Penzance, Cornwall, is hoping for a bounce-back in tourism numbers Credit: Getty The shopping hub's site explained that since 2020, they had been planning to "encourage independent businesses to choose our centre". Wharfside added: "The effect has been transformative on the centre and played its part in spreading a growing 'PZ positive' message across the town." The mall also hosts a range of other stores including Beautique Beauty Salon, Card Factory, Freddie's Proper Sweets, Helly's Bistro, HS Functional Fitness, Hunter and Walsh Hairdressers, and Iceland Frozen Foods. And it boasts a prime location just a short distance from Harbourside Car Park - the biggest in Penzance - as well as train and bus stations. Easy access is available too, since the mall has several escalators and spacious lifts. It comes after a "crumbling" coastal town with a "dying" town centre was reportedly set to have a £20million makeover. The Essex seaside town has been dubbed the "worst place to live in the UK" and is one of the most deprived areas nationwide.
BBC News
08-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
'State of the art' Tees Valley health hub equipment installed
"State-of-the-art" equipment has been installed at a new NHS diagnostic Tees Valley Community Diagnostic Centre in Stockton will open "in the next few weeks", North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust health hub, built on the site of the former Castlegate Shopping Centre, will provide tests for cancer, heart and lung and clinical lead for the centre Simon Milburn said the installation of two CT scanners, two MRI scanners and four ultrasound machines had been "very, very exciting". The centre is being run by University Hospitals Tees, which is formed of the North Tees trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation will have a number of consultation Milburn said: "This state-of-the-art facility is a once in a generation opportunity for our community in the Tees Valley." It is based at the southern end of the former shopping centre site as part of a wider transformation of the high street led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough North MP Chris McDonald said the facility would make healthcare "more accessible"."The vision of providing unified diagnostic services for our communities, north and south of the river, is becoming a reality," he said. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here
