An Irish man has died and a child has been injured in a shooting incident at a shopping centre in County Carlow on Sunday.
Emergency services are currently at the scene at the Fairgreen Shopping Centre, with an army bomb disposal team also in attendance.
Gardaà (Irish police) were alerted to the incident shortly after 18:15 local time.
The girl was treated by paramedics at the scene. Gardaà said it is not yet known how her injuries were sustained.
The shopping centre has been evacuated and the area has been sealed off by police.
The cordon will remain in place overnight.
Gardaà have said there are no further safety concerns and urged people not to share any footage of the incident on social media.
Ireland’s justice minister said the incident “is something we never want or expect to happen in our communities”.
“Gun violence is very rare in Ireland, and I am determined that will remain the case,” said Jim O’Callaghan.
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Michéal Martin said he is “deeply shocked and saddened at the shooting incident in Carlow this evening”.
In a post on X, he said: “My thoughts are with the families affected and the local community in Carlow after what was a very serious and traumatic incident.
“I urge anyone who has information to speak to the gardaÃ.”
The tánaiste (Ireland’s deputy prime minister) and Minister for Defence Simon Harris said he joined “people across our country” in thinking about the young child who has been injured and her family.
“I am also thinking of all those who witnessed this situation and the awful shock and upset it must have caused them,” he added.
“I know their families and communities will rally to support them.”
