A 60-year-old woman and her 4-year-old grand nephew were tragically killed in a horrific attack on their family home in Edenderry, Ireland. The blaze was deliberately set when a petrol bomb was thrown through the front window, police confirmed.
Devastating Arson Kills Woman and Child
Mary Holt, 60, and young Tadhg Farrell were pulled from the burning semi-detached house on Saturday evening. Emergency services arrived at around 7.45pm but both victims sadly died at the scene.
A woman in her 50s, believed to be the boy’s grandmother, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries and remains in critical condition.
Police Call Attack ‘Reckless and Murderous’
Superintendent Liam Geraghty described the incident as “a reckless, callous and murderous attack on a family home.” Gardaí are investigating the arson and have opened a murder inquiry.
He urged anyone who was near Castleview Park between 7pm and 8pm on Saturday or who may have dashcam footage to come forward immediately.
Community and Officials React with Heartbreak
“The loss of such innocent life is inexcusable. May their poor souls rest in eternal peace. Edenderry is a darker place today.” – Councillor Claire Murray
Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan condemned the attack as “deliberate, callous violence” and backed Gardaí’s appeal for information from the public.
Investigation Ongoing
The house remains a crime scene under technical examination by forensic teams. Post-mortems on both victims are scheduled to take place at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.
The investigation is being coordinated from Tullamore Garda station, with detectives working to identify the attackers, described only as “person or persons unknown.”
Gardaí are urging anyone with information to contact their local station or anonymously via crime hotline. This was a shocking act of violence that has devastated a tight-knit community.
