Fiosrú investigation into Carlow shopping centre incident finds no criminal offence or disciplinary breach by gardaí who attended incident

Press release: 29 July 2026

Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, has concluded its independent investigation into an incident at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow on 1 June 2025 in which Evan Fitzgerald was fatally injured.

Fiosrú opened an independent statutory investigation into the incident following a mandatory referral from An Garda Síochána which Fiosrú received on 2 June 2025.

The referral was made by a Garda Superintendent under section 203(1) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which requires Fiosrú to initiate an investigation to establish whether an act or omission of a garda or gardaí may have resulted in a person’s death or serious harm.

By law, the scope of Fiosrú’s investigation related exclusively to events at the shopping centre on 1 June 2025 and potential acts or omissions by gardaí who responded to the incident.

Fiosrú’s investigation found no criminal offence or disciplinary breach by gardaí who responded to 999 calls at Fairgreen Shopping Centre on 1 June 2025.

Fiosrú’s independent investigation into this matter is now closed.

Fiosrú’s investigators have continued to liaise with Evan Fitzgerald’s family, who have been notified of the outcome of the investigation.

In addition, relevant gardaí who responded to the incident have been notified of the outcome of the investigation.

Fiosrú extends its sincere condolences to the family members for their tragic loss.

The inquest into Evan Fitzgerald’s death is yet to take place. In order to preserve the integrity of those proceedings, Fiosrú will make no further comment at this time.

Editor’s Note:

Section 203(1) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 provides for the referral to Fiosrú by An Garda Síochána of any matter concerning death of, or serious harm to, a person.

‘The Garda Commissioner shall, subject to subsection (2), without delay, refer to the Police Ombudsman any matter that appears to the Garda Commissioner to indicate that the act or omission of a member of garda personnel may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person.’

A referral does not necessarily mean a garda or gardaí have been accused of wrongdoing. Instead, it means that the incident should be investigated independently by Fiosrú to ascertain whether or not the act or omission of a garda or gardaí may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person.

Fiosrú must then appoint a senior designated officer to conduct an investigation under section 208(1)(b) of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

ENDS