SHOOTER 'TERRIFIED OF GOING TO JAIL'

THE man who took his own life in front of shoppers in Carlow was facing serious criminal charges and was terrified of going to jail, it has emerged.

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE

Sources have also told us that Evan Fitzgerald, who shot himself after firing several shots inside the town's Fairgreen Swhopping Centre on Sunday evening, was facing up to 14 years in jail over the charges and was due up in court on them again tomorrow

But we have learned he had told people he was afraid of going to prison over the 13 charges - relating to firearms and explosives offences.

Sources say Mr Fitzgerald, 22, took a legally held shotgun that was registered to an associate on Sunday afternoon and then headed to the Carlow shopping centre - where he caused panic by firing several shots in the air.

He then walked outside and, when challenged by armed gardai, turned the shotgun on himself.

He died instantly in the horror shooting.

We have learned that Mr Fitzgerald, of Portrushen Upper, Kiltegan, Rathvilly, Co Carlow, was due at Naas District Court in Co Kildare, where he was to be served with the book of evidence in his case which meant he was to stand trial in front of a judge and jury later this year.

He was charged under anti-firearms and explosives legislation and was facing up to 14 years behind bars if he was convicted.

But the case against him cannot now proceed.

Mr Fitzgerald's home in Rathvilly is close to the border with Wicklow.

It is about 27 kilometres from the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow town, where he caused panic on Sunday evening.

We have confirmed that Mr Fitzgerald was on bail on serious firearms and explosives charges when he went to Fairgreen and opened fire.

Sources tell us gardai now believe he did not intend to target anyone else in the incident which officers now think was a gruesome public suicide.

"He did not shoot at anyone else and we believe he did not want to. The shots he fired were not aimed at anyone," a source told us.