
The man, aged in his early 20s, was on bail for a series of serious firearms offences at the time of the incident.
Kfm understands that a man originally arrested in Kildare last year by specialist gardaí is at the centre of the shooting incident that occurred at Fairgreen Shopping Centre in Carlow last night.
The man, aged in his early 20s, was on bail for a series of firearms offences at the time of the incident.
It was confirmed last year that one of the guns seized in Kildare could be used in warfare but a detective believed it was bought more for a "hobby".
The man first came before the courts last year, charged in connection with the possession of an assault rifle purchased on the dark web.
The firearm – a Heckler and Koch G3 rifle – was seized along with a Remington M1911 handgun and a variety of ammunition.
Kfm understands that a home was also searched last night in Kiltegan by Gardai and members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team.
Gardaí are asking anyone with footage of the shooting incident in Carlow town to give it to them and not to share it online.
The shopping centre has been deemed safe in the past few hours.