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Garda Launch Murder Investigation After Boy, 4, and Woman, 60, Die in Deliberate Offaly House Fire

Detectives are probing petrol-bomb arson with a possible drugs‑intimidation motive.

Overview

  • An Garda Síochána say the Edenderry home was intentionally attacked, with a murder inquiry led from Tullamore and a full forensic examination under way.
  • Victims were named as Mary Holt, 60, and her grand‑nephew Tadhg Farrell, 4, while a woman in her 50s remains in hospital with serious injuries.
  • Post‑mortems were completed by Assistant State Pathologist Margot Bolster as the scene stays sealed for technical and forensic work.
  • Investigators are pursuing reports that a petrol bomb ignited the blaze and a line of inquiry linking the attack to drug‑debt intimidation by organised criminals, with the victims understood to be innocent.
  • Gardaí appealed for witnesses and dashcam footage from Castleview Park and nearby roads between 7:00pm and 8:00pm on Saturday, as national leaders condemned the killings and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.