Evan Fitzgerald: How a young man’s foolish decisions ended in a shopping centre shooting

The 22-year-old faced weapons charges after an undercover operation, while his family told an inquest he felt increasingly isolated

On June 1, 2025, Evan Fitzgerald took his own life in the Fairgeen shopping centre, Co Carlow. His upcoming court case for firearm posession  had been weighing heavily on his mind. File picture 

Two of Garda Bryan Dunne’s colleagues were running out to the Hyundai i40 patrol car when he arrived for work in Carlow Garda Station. It was approaching 6.30pm on June 1, 2025.

He asked what was going on and was told there was a shooter in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre. The garda hopped into the back of the patrol car, and they took off at speed.