CCTV footage of Edenderry house fire attack released by gardaí
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association
Gardaí have pledged to identify all those responsible for the deaths of a four-year-old boy and his grand-aunt in a house fire, as investigators released footage of the attack.
Four-year-old Tadhg 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.
Tadhg and Ms Holt, 60, were discovered dead in the front room of the house where the fire had been deliberately started, gardaí said.
Tadhg’s grandmother, who has not been named, continues to receive treatment in hospital for serious burn injuries.
On Wednesday, gardaí released CCTV footage of the attack that appears to show two hooded individuals smash a window before lighting an object on fire and throwing it into the property.
Investigators released the footage as part of a renewed appeal for information.
The attack came after a Christmas tractor run in Edenderry at 6pm, attended by more than 250 vehicles raising money for local charitable causes.
Post-mortem examinations have been completed, but the results are not being released for operational reasons.
An Garda Síochána is supporting the families as they prepare for the funerals.
To date, the investigation team has carried out more than 150 investigative jobs, 250 house-to-house inquiries, retrieved more than 60 pieces of CCTV and taken over 100 written documents.
The force acknowledged the support shown by the local community in Edenderry and the wider area, to the families and to investigators.
Chief Superintendent Anthony Lonergan of the Laois/Offaly garda division said on Wednesday: “Tadhg should be with his family today.
“His grand-aunt Mary should be working in a local nursing home, where she worked for over 40 years helping her community.”
Mr Lonergan said he wanted to reassure the community that gardaí are there to support them.
He added: “An Garda Síochána is determined, and will identify all those responsible for the deaths of Tadhg and Mary and bring them before the courts.
“I appeal directly 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 on 1800 666 111, or any garda station, in particular Edenderry Garda Station.
Garda taskforce
Fianna Fáil TD for Offaly, Deputy Tony McCormack, has urged the Minister for Justice to establish “a dedicated Garda taskforce in Edenderry to dismantle the drug gangs operating in the town.”
Addressing the Dáil, Deputy McCormack stated: “People deserve to feel safe in their own homes. They deserve to sit in their living rooms and watch television without fear.
“We need to act now to ensure that a callous crime like this can never happen again.”
Deputy McCormack added that a strengthened and focused Garda presence is now needed in Edenderry to deal decisively with those responsible for “the horrific crimes committed over the weekend.”
“Neighbouring families are shaken, and children in the estate are frightened. These are homes that should be filled with Christmas excitement, not fear and trauma. The community needs reassurance, and that reassurance must come through continued, visible action.”
Deputy McCormack also asked the Minister to consider extending Edenderry Garda Station to a 24-hour service, noting that the town now needs reassurance through action.
“Criminals do not keep office hours, and our safety shouldn’t either.”
“The people of Edenderry are heartbroken. Soon, a coffin heartbreakingly small will be carried to its resting place, a sight that will stay with this community for a lifetime.
“A community has been shattered, and we must do everything we can to help it heal.”
He concluded: “Let this tragedy be the moment confidence is rebuilt in Edenderry, not the moment we simply mourn and move on.”
