Garda delivery of firearms to shopping centre gunman 'warranted'

Commissioner Harris faces PAC questions about death of Evan

- LOUISE BURNE

GARDA Commissioner Drew Harris has insisted the controlled delivery of firearms to Evan Fitzgerald was “fully warranted and proportional”.

Mr Fitzgerald, 22, shot himself dead in front of shoppers in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow on June 1, just days before he was due to face court on ammunition and explosives charges.

Commissioner Harris told the Oireachtas Justice Committee on June 10 the firearms Mr Fitzgerald was due in court for were part of a controlled garda delivery.

At a hearing of the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee yesterday, Labour TD Eoghan Kenny questioned whether the operation was necessary.

Commissioner Harris said gardai's actions were justified but could not provide detail on the operation's cost.