A murder investigation has been launched following a house fire in Edenderry, Co Offaly, which claimed the lives of a woman and a child. The victims have been identified as four-year-old Tadhg Farrell and Mary Holt, aged 60. Another woman in her 50s remains in hospital with injuries.
The fire broke out at a house on Castleview Park at around 7.45pm on Saturday. Superintendent Liam Geraghty stated that the fire was deliberately started, describing it as a 'reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home'.
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan condemned the attack, saying it was 'designed to kill the inhabitants'. He suggested that gardaí are investigating a possible link to the drugs trade, warning that such activity 'will wreak devastation not just on themselves but those who are close to them'.
Gardaí have appealed for anyone who was in the vicinity of Castleview Park or adjoining roads between 7pm and 8pm on Saturday to come forward with information.
