Gardaí engaged in ‘controlled delivery' of arms and ammo to Carlow supermarket shooter, TD tells committee
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."
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
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.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Dublin Live
7 hours ago
- Dublin Live
Cannabis worth €2 million seized following search of business in West Dublin
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gardai have seized cannabis worth €2 million following a search of a business in West Dublin today. The huge haul was discovered following a search of a premises in Ballyfermot as part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in July 2021. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels from international to local. The searches were carried out by Gardaí from Ballyfermot Garda Station, Clondalkin Community Engagement Area, and Detective Gardaí from Serious Crime South. Gardai said the seized drugs are now subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland and investigations into the find are ongoing. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
8 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Major drug raid as cops swoop on Dublin business & seize cannabis herb worth €2m as two arrested in separate search
A RAID on a business premises in Dublin has resulted in the seizure of €2 million worth of cannabis herb. The search was carried out on Saturday at a business in Ballyfermot. The seized drugs will be analysed by Forensic Science Ireland. This seizure forms part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in July 2021. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels – international, national, and local – involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale, and supply of controlled drugs. Read more in News A spokesperson said: "As part of Operation Tara, Gardaí have seized €2m of suspected cannabis herb during the course of a search of a business premises in the Ballyfermot, "The searches were carried out by Gardaí from Ballyfermot Garda Station, Clondalkin Community Engagement Area, and Detective Gardaí from Serious Crime South. "The "Investigations are ongoing." Most read in The Irish Sun Separately, two people have been arrested in Detectives from the The search was conducted at a property in the Gorestown Road area of Dungannon under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Friday, June 20 shortly after 5.20pm. As part of the ongoing investigation two men, aged 39 and 24 years old, were arrested on suspicion of a number of drug-related offences. Both men are currently in police custody at this time. Detective Inspector Stickland said: 'The drugs, as well as a sum of money and drugs paraphernalia, have been taken away for further forensic examinations. 'Our officers will continue to protect communities from the harm of illegal drugs. "As a result of this excellent police work, a large quantity of suspected dangerous controlled drugs are now safely off our streets. 'Drugs have no place in our community and I am making a direct appeal to anyone with information about the illicit supply, possession or misuse of drugs to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, or submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via 1 The search was carried out on Saturday at a business in Ballyfermot. Credit: Alamy
Sunday World
10 hours ago
- Sunday World
Gardaí seize €2m worth of cannabis herb in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
Gardaí raided a business premises as part of Operation Tara Gardaí have seized €2m worth of cannabis herb in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 today. Gardaí raided a business premises as part of Operation Tara. The searches were carried out by Gardaí from Ballyfermot Garda Station, Clondalkin Community Engagement Area, and Detective Gardaí from Serious Crime South. The drugs seized are now subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland. . News in 90 Seconds - June 21st Gardai say there were no arrests and investigations are ongoing. Operation Tara is the enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris in July 2021. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels – international, national, and local – involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale, and supply of controlled drugs.
