Carlow shooter named as local man, 22, who was facing firearms charges
The man who opened fire in a Carlow shopping centre before taking his own life has been identified.
Detectives are now satisfied the gunman behind the horror incident on Sunday evening was Carlow man Evan Fitzgerald. Mr Fitzgerald, 22, was due to make a court appearance on 13 firearms and explosive charges later this week.
He was due to have the book of evidence in the case presented to him at Naas District Court on Wednesday – 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 27 kilometres from the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow Town, where he caused panic on Sunday evening.
(Image: An Garda Siochana)
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 Staffan 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.
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.
(Image: An Garda Siochana)
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
Sixty nine 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.
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