Shooting in Carlow

Why not read the sources if you are going to comment, the weapons came from the gardai's store of previously seized weapons.

The Journal article stated it was a controlled delivery. It made no suggestion that the firearms in the controled deivery may have come from garda resources.

The MoS article and X link do state the firearms came from garda resources. Neither clarify the route the firearms took from ordering to delivery and whether the gardaí intercepting the delivery had any knowledge of the wider operation.

It's a leap to say the gardaí in court lied about not knowing the source of the firearms.

Could the Gardai have intercepted the firearms ordered by this lad on the dark web, once they entered the country, then completed the delivery as part of their sting operation? They may still not know the origin of the weapons, but would be carrying out a controlled delivery of firearms already in their possession. I'd have thought that type of thing was a common tactic when it comes to drugs, illegal medicines etc.

the weapons came from the garda store of seized weapons

https://x.com/gavreilly/status/1932516018544652450/photo/2 they were not imported from overseas.

One needs to make a distinction between The Gardaí (An Garda Síochanna) as a force ( and individual sections within The Gardaí and other security organisations) and the gardaí as individuals in court.

There is insufficient information in the articles to substantiate a claim that the gardaí immediately involved in the court case lied.

The operational details are vague so the full provenance and path from source to delivery of the firearms is up to debate.

WAS an utterly niave ejit more like.

Indo reporting that there were two pairs of illegally acquired guns (the shotgun aside). https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/gardai-defend-use-of-controlled-deliveries-as-td-claims-carlow-shooter-was-given-garda-gun-before-his-arrest/a1100293886.html

the Indo reports

It is also understood that Tokarev and Makarov pistols were seized in follow-up operations.

Where did he get them?

The Irish Times also refers to the 'controlled delivery' of two guns https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2025/06/12/garda-inquiry-into-evan-fitzgerald-followed-tip-off-irish-person-trying-to-buy-guns-on-darknet/

Although all the reports from the hearing in April suggest they were all found at the same time, during the post sting arrest. https://www.kildare-nationalist.ie/news/three-men-found-with-guns-in-kildare-appear-in-court_arid-55354.html

In the Indo McDowell said

"It now appears that Gardaí had previously met at least one of the three, and, without revealing their identity, made arrangements for the firearms and ammunition in question to be delivered.

It is also understood that Tokarev and Makarov pistols were seized in follow-up operations.

Where did he get them?

It doesnt specify if they were deactivated or live firing functioning pistols.As theses are two of the most common pistols leaking into Europe from Russia and the former Yougoslavia.he could have picked them up from anyone ,anywhere, or was this part of the AGS operation and the Irish media in its usual manner,has missed out that pertinent detail.

Surprised that a former barrister Mr McDowell,doesn't know that Entrapment is a non existent term or concept in our legislation and while no doubt sneaky and underhanded,it's a ligit tool of Law enforcement and was used correctly in this case.

A face-to-face meeting was later arranged, with the guns and money exchanged. Mr Fitzgerald, who did not realise he was dealing with undercover gardaí running a sting operation, was arrested. The guns were two firearms that were in Garda stores and had been decommissioned.

Definately utterly niave.