Carlow Gunman: Gardaí & Firearms – Dáil Hearing
- A claim by Labour TD Alan Kelly that an Garda Síochána provided firearms to Evan Fitzgerald, 22, who later died by suicide, has sparked controversy.
- Speaking in Dáil Éireann, Kelly stated the guns "were actually given to him by An Garda Síochána" adn "came from An Garda Síochána itself."
- Garda Commissioner Drew Harris addressed the Oireachtas Justice Committee, saying Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, had reviewed the inquiry file.
Labor TD Alan Kelly alleges Gardaí supplied firearms to Evan Fitzgerald, who later died by suicide in Carlow, igniting a firestorm of scrutiny. The controversial claim directly accuses An Garda Síochána of providing weapons,leading to a Dáil hearing where garda Commissioner drew Harris addressed the allegations before the Oireachtas Justice committee. Harris stated that an inquiry found no issues regarding garda conduct, yet Kelly disputes the timeline and questioned the examination’s details. The ceann Comhairle intervened,cutting off Kelly. Delve deeper into the Carlow Gunman case and the Dáil hearing wiht News directory 3. Discover what’s next as the Minister prepares to respond.
Gardaí Allegedly Provided Guns in Firearms Offences Case
Updated June 11, 2025
A claim by Labour TD Alan Kelly that an Garda Síochána provided firearms to Evan Fitzgerald, 22, who later died by suicide, has sparked controversy. Fitzgerald was facing firearms charges at the time of his death on June 1 at a shopping center in Carlow.
Speaking in Dáil Éireann, Kelly stated the guns “were actually given to him by An Garda Síochána” adn “came from An Garda Síochána itself.”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris addressed the Oireachtas Justice Committee, saying Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, had reviewed the inquiry file. Harris stated that the inquiry found no issues regarding gardaí use of a controlled delivery related to the alleged firearms offences.
Kelly questioned the conflicting dates of referral to Fiosrú, citing a Department of Justice confirmation to the media on May 10, while Harris cited May 18-19. He also questioned why a judge was told investigations were ongoing into the guns’ provenance.
Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy cut off Kelly’s microphone, accusing him of abusing parliamentary privilege.
“The events in Carlow were very traumatic for everyone involved, for the wider community and the family of Evan Fitzgerald, a young man whose life is no longer, no more.And that is a very sad and traumatic event.”
Micheál Martin
Taoiseach Micheál Martin acknowledged the tragic nature of the events and said the Minister would respond to the issues raised.
what’s next
The Minister is expected to address the allegations and provide further clarification on the timeline of events and the findings of the Fiosrú investigation into the firearms offences case.