Carlow shopping centre shooting: Man dead and girl injured following incident - bomb squad called in

A young girl was also injured in the incident but did not require hospital care.

The PA news agency has reported that the dead man’s wounds were self-inflicted. It happened at the Fairgreen shopping centre in Carlow town in County Carlow in the Republic of Ireland, at about 6.15pm yesterday.

The body of the man remained at the site on Monday afternoon pending removal to the State Pathologist Office for formal identification. Addressing reporters at Carlow Garda Station, Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman said: “I would like to acknowledge the management and business community of the Fairgreen shopping centre for their assistance and support to the public yesterday evening.

“I also want to acknowledge the assistance of all the emergency services yesterday evening, local fire brigade, ambulance services and the Defence Forces for their professionalism and assistance.

“I specifically want to highlight the response of local Garda members, who on receipt of a call of a very dangerous incident immediately responded to protect their community. Their courage was exemplary.”

An Garda Siochana is conscious that this serious incident has an impact on the local community and local Garda management will work with the local community, business community and other state agencies in the coming days to help the community come to terms with this incident.“An Garda Siochana is also very aware that there is a family grieving the death of their loved one at this time and An Garda Siochana appeals for privacy for the family.”

Assistant Garda Commissioner Hilman said army explosives officers were called to the scene after gardai observed a “bottle containing an unknown substance” on the body of the dead man.

Gardai have identified the dead man as a white Irish male.

Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan described it as a “really shocking incident”.

One local councillor told how people ran terrified from the shopping centre in Carlow town as shots were fired.

The shopping centre was evacuated and emergency services remain at the scene, but gardai said there is no further concern for public safety.

A Garda spokesperson said they were alerted to reports of a firearm discharge at Fairgreen Shopping Centre shortly after 6.15pm.

The spokesperson said yesterday: “An Garda Siochana are currently at the scene, with the shopping centre and car park cordoned off. The cordon will remain in place overnight.

“A white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend.”

The spokesperson added: “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.”

Gardai have asked that anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident not share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead provide it to 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.

Ireland’s deputy premier, Simon Harris, said he was “deeply concerned” to hear about the incident and was being kept briefed.

Mr Harris said: “I understand a young child has been hurt and I join with people across our country in thinking of them and their family tonight. I am also thinking of all those who witnessed this situation and the awful shock and upset it must have caused them. I know their families and communities will rally to support them. I am grateful to our emergency services for their work and response.”

The Tanaiste added: “This is a live Garda Investigation with the support of members of the Army Bomb Disposal Unit. I have been in touch with the chief of staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, in relation to this incident and the assistance our Defence Forces are providing. It’s important now that our Gardai can carry out this investigation thoroughly.”

Mr O’Callaghan said: “This was a really shocking incident. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the shooting and the community and families impacted, including those working at the scene. I would appeal to anyone who has any information to speak to the gardai and help with their investigations in any way that they can.”

He added: “This is 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.

“The area in Carlow is safe. We must now allow An Garda Siochana to investigate this incident fully.”

Local Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne said people in the town had been left terrified

He said: “I think it is all under control now, it seems the worst is over. People were obviously terrified, going into town to do their shopping.

“People ran from the centre crying and upset. There was a bunch of foreign students in the area, who could not believe they were caught up in the middle of all of it. It’s a busy spot. We launched a photographic exhibition there on Friday night in the shopping centre.”

Mr Browne added: “There is lots of activity in the centre between people shopping and people working there, exhibitions. You could not make it up. It’s very upsetting for everyone who was involved in it or who witnessed it. I was down there in the last hour and it seems to have calmed down a good bit now.”

Mr Browne said he wanted to thank all of the emergency services who had attended the scene.