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Murder inquiry launched after child and woman die in fire

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grey placeholderA Garda Síochána composite image of Mary Holt (left) and Tadhg Farrell (right). Mary has shoulder-length blonde hair with fringes and brown eyes, wearing a white zip-up jacket and a floral top. Tadhg has short brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a red and green pajama top.An Garda Síochána
Mary Holt, aged 60, and Tadhg Farrell, aged 4, have been named as the two people who died in a house fire in County Offaly.

Gardai (Irish police) have launched a murder investigation after a woman and young boy died in a house fire in County Offaly.

Their names have been described as 60-year-old Mary Holt and 4-year-old Tadgh Farrell.

The fire broke out at a house in Castleview Park, Edenderry, at 19:45 local time on Saturday.

Gardai said a second woman, aged in her 50s, remains in hospital with serious injuries.

grey placeholderThe RTÉ camera is zoomed in on the top two windows of the light brown house. The right ID window is broken and blackened with burn marks. The area around the window is also painted black. The window on the right is open and relatively insulated from the heat. RTÉ

An Garda Síochána (Irish Police Service) says the fire broke out at a house in Edenderry, County Offaly

Superintendent Liam Geraghty said gardaí believe the house was attacked by an unknown person or people and the fire was deliberately set.

“This was a reckless, brutal and deadly attack on a family home,” he said.

The house has been declared a crime scene and is being investigated by the Garda Technical Bureau.

The local coroner and state pathologist’s office have been notified.

Gardai said the remains of both victims have been removed from the scene and a post-mortem will begin on Sunday afternoon.

Police are appealing for anyone with information or who has dash-cam footage who was in the vicinity of Castleview Park or surrounding streets between 19:00 and 20:00 local time on Saturday to contact them.

grey placeholderA Garda is wearing a yellow and black jacket with a brown belt and a hat. The jacket and cap have the Garda logo. He is standing with a lantern in front of a white building with the Garda logo on it.

Superintendent Liam Geraghty described the attack as “reckless” and “senseless”.

‘Heartbreaking and devastating’

Local Independent Ireland councilor Fergus McDonnell said the entire community was left “absolutely distraught”.

Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTE on Sunday, McDonnell said he personally knew those who died.

“The family are normal, down-to-earth people, work hard, and for something like this to happen is just surreal.”

grey placeholderRTÉ A white van with yellow and blue checkered paint with the words 'AN BIÚRÓ TEICNIÚIL' written on it. Technical Bureau is written on its side. In the back of the van are two men wearing white and blue striped police tape and black and bright yellow jackets. RTÉ

The house has been declared a crime scene and is being investigated by the Garda Technical Bureau

In a post on social media, Independent TD (Member of Parliament) Carol Nolan said it was “very sad news” that lives had been lost.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and the Edenderry community,” he said.

“This is truly heartbreaking and devastating news.”



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