Man dead following shooting incident at Co Carlow shopping centre

Sarah Slater

A man has died and a girl was injured following a shooting incident in a supermarket in Carlow town.

The incident unfolded at 6.15pm when it appears a man fired a number of shots towards the roof of the busy Tesco supermarket at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre.

Shoppers and staff ran for cover when two rounds of shots rang out. It is understood that the man, then ran outside of the building and shot himself dead.

Gardaí have said a white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene.

A girl was also injured and it remains unclear if he sustained gunshot or other injuries as people fled from the scene. The girl has been taken to St Luke’s General Hospital for treatment.

It is understood that security personnel and shoppers called the emergency services as the drama unfolded from their mobile phones.

In panicked scenes, gardaí and emergency services rushed to the scene as members of the public spilled out from the centre.

A local man who witnessed the shooting unfold and who did not want to be named said: “All we could hear were popping sounds and loud shouts but I couldn’t make out what was being said. It was terrifying.

"The man was fatally injured during the incident, his gunshot wounds appear self-inflicted.”

Men in a nearby barbershop also heard two loud continuous bangs and looked startled from their premises located in the centre. The non-national said: “We could see a person shooting and got out of the way as quickly as we could.”

An onlooker outside the supermarket added: “I think the gardai shot him down but now it appears the man shot himself.”

The public were warned by gardai and the Armed Response Unit to stay away from the scene with them bringing the situation under control at 7.30pm.

The shopping centre was evacuated and gardaí sealed off the scene overnight. They are currently carrying out a wider security check of the area.

The Army Bomb Disposal Team has also been called in as a precaution as gardaí became concerned about the possibility that the man may have been carrying an explosive device.

The body of the man remains at the scene but will not be removed until the area has been declared safe.

Local Fine Gael councillor Fergal Browne said his thoughts are with anyone “who may have witnessed the unfolding events” and that it was “shocking to hear reports of a shooting” in Carlow town over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Gardaí said that they “have no further concern for public safety.”

They have urged people not to share recorded footage of the incident on social media but to provide it to the gardaí at Carlow Garda Station.

They have also appealed to witnesses or anyone with information to contact them.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

Gardai added: “No additional information is available at this time.”

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has expressed his solidarity with those impacted by a serious incident in Carlow.

“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 Gardaí and help with their investigations in any way that they can.

“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 Síochána to investigate this incident fully.”

Speaking on the incident, Tánaiste Simon Harris said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened at the shooting incident in Carlow this evening.

"My thoughts are with the families affected and the local community in Carlow after what was a very serious and traumatic incident.

"I urge anyone who has information to speak to the Gardaí."