The Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast: Mick Clifford examines fallout from Garda firearms sting

This week's episode explores calls for scrutiny over a garda sting operation and subsequent court and media controversies

On this week's episode Mick Clifford examines the Garda sting operation linked to the case of Evan Fitzgerald and calls for an inquiry.

Evan Fitzgerald, aged 22, later described as a “vulnerable young man”, died outside a Carlow shopping centre last June. He was on bail at the time on firearms charges.

Mr Fitzgerald and two friends were arrested in March 2024 during a garda sting operation after attempting to purchase weapons on the dark web. The “sellers” were undercover gardaí and the firearms were disabled.

The three men were released on bail following a court appearance in which gardaí did not disclose details of the sting operation that led to their arrest. 

In an unprecedented move, Judge Desmond Zaidan later spoke publicly to clarify what transpired during that court hearing.

Following Mr Fitzgerald’s death, several politicians called for an inquiry into how the sting operation was conducted, statements made by gardaí in court, and reports suggesting he had a “manifesto” at the time of his death — claims that were later found to be untrue.

Mick Clifford, special correspondent with the Irish Examiner, has been covering the case and is the guest on today’s Deirdre O'Shaughnessy Podcast.