Man who died in Edenderry house fire was brother of woman killed in earlier arson attack

Members of the Garda technical bureau conduct a forensic investigation at a property in Castleview Park in Edenderry, Co Offaly, where a body was discovered following a fire. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The man found dead following a fire in Offaly overnight was the brother of a woman who died alongside her grandnephew in an arson attack at the same house last December.

The man, named locally as Christy Holt, was found dead at a house in Castleview Park, Edenderry, in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

His sister, Mary, and her grandnephew, four-year-old Tadhg Farrell, died on December 6 following an arson attack on the same house. Another sister of Mr Holt sustained serious burn injuries in the attack and required lengthy hospital treatment.

The house had been boarded up after the December tragedy, but it is understood that relatives recently returned to the property, despite it remaining badly damaged.

Mr Holt’s body was discovered when emergency services responded to a fire at the house. An autopsy is expected to help determine the course of the investigation as gardaí seek to establish the cause of death.

Investigators have sealed off the scene for a technical examination. A Garda statement said this would assist in determining the course of any investigation.

Local councillor Fergus McDonnell said the latest tragedy has shocked the community.

"I am absolutely horrified that there is a second tragedy resulting in a death at that house. My sympathies go to the surviving members of the family," he said.

Ms McDonnell said neighbours were alerted by their smoke alarms going off.

He said the fire was “intense” and has described what happened as “horrendous”, adding that the local community “can’t comprehend” a second fatal fire has happened at the same house.

“People just don’t know what to think,” he said.

On Tuesday afternoon, gardaí were carrying out door-to-door inquiries and fingertip searches in the vicinity of the house. Investigators accessed the top floor of the house through the upstairs windows using a ladder.

Gardaí in Tullamore are appealing for anyone with information about the house fire to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.