Gardaí search houses in relation to fatal firebomb attack at Edenderry home

Four-year-old Tadgh Farrell, and Mary Holt, 60, died in the house fire in Edenderry Co Offaly on Saturday. Picture: Garda Info

Gardaí are carrying out searches of homes in two counties as part of an investigation into the deaths of a young boy and his grand-aunt in an arson attack.

Four-year-old Tadgh Farrell was visiting his grandmother and grand-aunt Mary Holt in the Castleview Park area of Edenderry, Co Offaly, when the home was attacked shortly before 7.45pm on Saturday.

Tadgh and Ms Holt, 60, were discovered dead in the front room of the house where the fire had been deliberately started, gardaí said. Tadgh was on a sleepover at the house when the incident occurred.  

On Friday morning, gardaí from the Serious Crime Unit, from the Laois/Offaly Garda division, began carrying out searches at three homes in Co Kildare and Co Offaly. 

The team were supported by the Special Tactics and Operations Command, the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as well as units from Laois/Offaly Garda division, and Kildare/Carlow Garda division. 

Earlier this week, gardaí released CCTV footage of the "reckless, callous and murderous attack".

The footage shows two hooded males attacking before fleeing the scene. It is understood that teenagers are suspected of carrying out the attack, with at least one being a minor.

With the garda investigation centred on a Midlands organised crime gang linked to the drugs trade, it is thought that a prison altercation between two inmates the day prior to the incident could have led to the fatal firebomb attack.

Gardaí said on Friday that investigators are continuing to appeal to any person with any information "on this violent fatal incident to speak with investigating gardaí".

The investigation team can be contacted at the incident room at Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station, in particular Edenderry Garda Station.

It comes as the funeral of four-year-old Tadgh is set to take place on Friday. Members of the preschooler’s devastated family will be joined by the local community for the funeral at St Mary’s Church.

Meanwhile, Ms Holt will in repose between 4pm and 7pm on Saturday at Larkin's funeral home, from where her cortege will leave at 12.20pm on Sunday for her 1pm funeral Mass in St Mary's Church. Her cortege will pause at Ofalia House where she had worked for several years.

Tadgh’s grandmother continues to receive treatment in hospital for serious burn injuries.