Fiosrú, the police ombudsman, has launched a full investigation into all circumstances leading to the death of 22-year-old Evan Fitzgerald, following public concern and complaints regarding a controversial undercover Garda firearms sting.

Mr Fitzgerald, from Kiltegan, County Wicklow, died by suicide outside the Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow on June 1, 2025. At the time of his death, he and two friends were facing criminal charges relating to the possession of firearms following a sting operation conducted by An Garda Síochána. The operation involved undercover officers supplying disabled weapons to the men after detecting attempts to source firearms online.

In July 2026, Fiosrú concluded an initial statutory investigation restricted to the emergency response by officers who attended the shopping centre on the day of the fatal incident. That inquiry determined there was no criminal offence or disciplinary breach committed by responding gardaí. However, the ombudsman has now opened a broader investigation into precursor events and the conduct of the sting operation following a formal complaint.

The case has prompted debate in the Dáil and Seanad, where public representatives questioned the appropriateness, proportionality, and court disclosures associated with the undercover operation. During inquest proceedings in Carlow, depositions from Mr Fitzgerald's parents described their son as a vulnerable young man who experienced severe distress and guilt over his friends' legal troubles.

A spokesperson for Fiosrú noted that the ombudsman does not confirm or deny specific complaints in order to preserve procedural integrity, but confirmed that investigators continue to liaise with the Fitzgerald family. An Garda Síochána has previously maintained that controlled delivery operations are a necessary tool in interdicting illegal firearm procurements.