Gardaí engaged in ‘controlled delivery' of arms and ammo to supermarket shooter, committee hears
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris faces questions from TDs
Evan Fitzgerald, from Kiltegan in Co Wicklow, who died in a shooting incident at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow. Photo: PA
Gardaí engaged in a 'controlled delivery' of arms and ammunition to Carlow shopping centre shooter Evan Fitzgerald, a Dáil committee has been told.
Fitzgerald (22) who died in the shooting incident at the Fairgreen centre, was arrested by Gardaí last year for possession of firearms and explosives.
TDs today heard a suggestion that undercover officers had met Mr Fitzgerald before the two weapons and a quantity of ammunition were delivered.
In other jurisdictions, "controlled delivery" can mean that weapons are supplied to suspects by undercover officers.
Fitzgerald had been out on bail when he staged his Carlow attack.
It is understood that a sum of €3,000 may have been involved in the acquisition of the guns and ammunition on the Dark Web.
Former Labour Party leader Alan Kelly asked outgoing Garda Commissioner Drew Harris about the lead-up to the Carlow shooting incident during his appearance before the Justice Committee.
Mr Kelly asked the provenance of the guns that the "deceased young man" bought off the Dark web.
He added: "Was this a controlled delivery of guns and ammunition?"
He also asked: "Did undercover Gardai engage face-to-face with this young man prior to this delivery of guns and ammunition?"
Commissioner Harris said: "I would say that controlled delivery is very sensitive police methodology."
He added: "We use it for both organised crime and for our terrorist defence."
Mr Kelly returned to the issue later, saying that Evan Fitzgerald was "engaged with by An Garda Síochána', and "was met by An Garda Síochána undercover, guns and ammunition were taken from headquarters, they were delivered to him, and he was arrested.
"An Garda Síochána agreed to his bail, and subsequently he killed himself. I have serious concern in relation to all of that."
Mr Harris did not comment on this additional statement.
The Commissioner said he was aware of Sunday newspaper allegations published last month, which he had then referred to Fiosú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman.
"They have since examined the investigation file that was submitted by the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau to the DPP, and they've responded that they have no further action that they wish to take in pursuance."
The decision of the Ombudsman came in recent days, on Friday 6 June last.
Evan Fitzgerald, from Kiltegan in Co Wicklow, who died in a shooting incident at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow. Photo: PA
News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday June 10
Mr Kelly said: "I find that amazing. It's the quickest thing that's ever been turned around by them or their predecessors.
"There are investigations in relation to a whole range of things that have run on seven years, six years, five years.
"It's amazing that something can be turned around so fast." He asked to see what had been referred to them.
Commissioner Harris offered to forward to the committee a description of what was asked for and what was supplied.
Mr Kelly asked again whether the Commissioner was in a position to say whether Gardaí "engaged with this individual [Fitzgerald] prior to this controlled delivery, that was organised by An Garda Síochana in relation to these guns and ammunition."
He also asked again about where the guns had actually come from, appearing to question whether there had been any actual importation.
The Commissioner said: "Well, again, I'm not going to speak to the provenance of the firearms because that touches upon sensitive methodology.'
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