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LAST UPDATE | 1 Jun
GARDAÍ HAVE SAID one man has died in an incident at a shopping centre in Carlow during which shots were fired.
Army bomb disposal experts attended the scene to assist in the investigation.
The man died at the scene. It is understood a firearm has been found at the scene and that gardaí are not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting.
Armed gardaí have secured the scene and the situation is no longer active.
The Irish Air Corps Air Ambulance landed at the scene and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team arrived to investigate concerns gardaí have.
The alarm was raised shortly after 6:15pm. The premises were evacuated and the scene preserved.
Gardaí in a statement said that a girl was injured and received treatment for injuries at the scene but they do not yet know how she was injured.
“An Garda Síochána are currently at the scene, with the shopping centre and car park cordoned off. The cordon will remain in place overnight,” An Garda Síochána said earlier this evening.
“A white Irish adult male is deceased at the scene.
“The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has been requested to attend.
“A female juvenile received treatment from paramedics following the incident but did not require hospital care. It’s undetermined at this time as to how those injuries were sustained.”
It is understood that specialist firearm gardaí backed up by army EOD team are also searching a house in another part of Leinster linked to the dead man.
Gardaí have requested that anyone who may have recorded footage of the incident does not to share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead provides it to Gardaí at Carlow Garda Station.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059-9136620 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was shocked and saddened at what was a very serious and traumatic incident.
He urged anyone with information to speak to gardaí.
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris said he was “deeply concerned”.
He said he was “thinking of all those who witnessed this situation and the awful shock and upset it must have caused them” and of the child injured and her family.
“I know their families and communities will rally to support them,” he said.
“I am grateful to our emergency services for their work and response.
“I have been in touch with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, in relation to this incident and the assistance our Defence Forces are providing. It’s important now that our gardaí can carry out this investigation thoroughly,” he said.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has also spoken about the incident and reassured the public that the town of Carlow is safe.
“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,” he added.
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